Thousands gather for Omagh anniversary

Thousands packed the streets of Omagh today on the 10th anniversary of the conflict’s bloodiest day.

Grieving relatives of Spanish and Irish victims north and south of the border joined well-wishers remembering 29 people and two unborn twins killed in the August 1998 Real IRA blast.

Those responsible have not been caught, with police on both sides of the border are today facing a renewal of heavy criticism for their handling of the investigation.

Families of at least 10 of the dead boycotted the Co Tyrone remembrance service in a row over wording on new memorials at the bomb site.

Former Lebanon hostage Terry Waite was expected to address the event, attended by Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward, Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Mr Waite will warn deep suffering can spark calls for revenge.

“Some would say that justice is the answer and indeed we should always seek justice.

“However, we know that in a flawed and broken world complete justice is hardly ever experienced.

“We do not live in a world where we can experience absolute justice. With justice as with so many other things in life, we frequently have to settle for something less than the absolute.

“It is far from easy to recognise that fact,” Mr Waite will say.

President Mary McAleese and Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero both sent messages of support and added that the North had moved towards peace.

President McAleese says the people of the North have shown that the will towards peace and reconciliation embodied in the Good Friday Agreement is stronger and more powerful than any bomb or bullet.

Woodward says the dignity and courage of the families and friends of those who were murdered has shown that terrorism has no place in a decent world.

The centrepiece of today’s events include unveiling of a “garden of light” containing light-reflecting mirrors representing the dead as well as a glass obelisk at the site itself.