Classes have to be learnt from Omagh bomb tragedy 25 years on – Heaton-Harris
Mr Heaton-Harris stated the Government continues to have the deepest sympathy for all those that have been impacted by the atrocity, the worst lack of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland’s troubled previous.
The households of a few of these bereaved within the incident are anticipated to assemble on the website later to put flowers on the twenty fifth anniversary of the Real IRA assault.
The dissident republican assault in 1998 devastated the Co Tyrone village, killing 29 folks, together with a girl pregnant with twins, and injuring a whole lot of others.
It got here simply months after the historic Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and was the best lack of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland’s troubled previous.
No-one has ever been criminally convicted of the assault.
Earlier this yr, Mr Heaton-Harris introduced that an unbiased statutory inquiry shall be carried out into the atrocity.
He stated: “Twenty five years ago today, news of the bombing of Omagh reverberated around the world.
“The horrific terrorist atrocity of 15 August 1998, committed by the Real IRA, caused untold damage to the families of the 29 people and two unborn children who were tragically killed, and the 220 people who were injured.
“To this day, it remains the largest loss of life in a single incident in Northern Ireland.
“The Government has the deepest sympathy for all of those affected.
“Taking place only months after the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, the bombing occurred at a time when the people of Northern Ireland were looking to a future without the violence that had sadly dominated the previous three decades.”
Today, like they have been then, my ideas are with the households and all these impacted by the Omagh bombing 1 / 4 of a century in the past
The Northern Ireland Secretary added: “The Omagh atrocity, just like other acts of terrorism before or since, had absolutely no justification, and never will.
“In February, I announced the government would establish an independent statutory inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing.
“While responsibility for this appalling crime lies with the murderers and those that assisted them, it is important that all lessons are learned and that confidence in this is given to the families of those affected, and to wider society.
“Last year, I visited the site of the bombing with relatives of the deceased – a very sobering experience – and crossed the road to visit the Memorial Garden of Light which commemorates all those who lost their lives.
“Today, like they were then, my thoughts are with the families and all those impacted by the Omagh bombing a quarter of a century ago.”
A memorial service, attended by British and Irish Government ministers, came about within the city on Sunday.
Later on Tuesday, the Families Moving On victims’ help group has organised a personal service to be held within the city’s library.
Shortly after 3pm, households will lay flowers on the obelisk which marks the bomb website, in the meanwhile when the machine exploded 25 years in the past.