Omagh bomb monument 'could be vandalised'

A monument to the victims of the 1998 Omagh bomb would confront the bereaved with painful memories, a relative said today.

Lawrence Rush, whose wife Libby died in the Real IRA atrocity, was speaking before an independent advice team on the wording on the memorial was unveiled in the Co Tyrone town.

Victims’ families believe the Sinn Féin-dominated Omagh District Council objects to the words “dissident republican car bomb” on a memorial plaque but Mr Rush said he was opposed to any sort of shrine.

“I don’t want to be confronted with the death of my wife, I don’t see there is anything to be gained from that,” he said.

“There are other things that the money could be spent on, a bursary or a scholarship that would be of benefit to the children of the future rather than a monument.

“I have my monument, my monument is my three children and grandchildren and in the cemetery. If we put one in Omagh it could be vandalised.”

A total of 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died from the car bomb.

Omagh chief executive Danny McSorley has said he wanted the views of everyone to be taken into account.

An independent professional facilitator group will lead discussions involving all those affected by the atrocity about the wording on the plaque.

A competition was launched in April to provide a permanent tribute at the bomb site and nearby memorial garden.

A design for the memorial was displayed last month by the council but none of the families attended the event.