BOMB CHARGES: THE SHOCKING TOLL OF OMAGH BOMB AND THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO DIED

On August 15 1998 people were going about their business in the centre of Omagh when police started moving people away from the top of the town in response to a bomb warning.

As they did, the bomb exploded to where people were being moved. Dissident terrorists had given the wrong location – and a massive bomb exploded.

The mass murder sent shockwaves around the world, and cast a dark shadow over Donegal.

Three of those who died where just schoolboys from Buncrana, on a day trip with Spanish students who were here staying in Donegal for the summer. A 12-year-old Spanish boy staying in Buncrana and one of the Spanish tutors also died. Nine children lost their lives that day.

Later oday Seamus Daly will be charged with their murders. In Court today the names of each will be read out.

Here’s who they are:

James Barker (12), from Buncrana. James’ family had only moved to Buncrana from England a year before the bombing. James was one of three boys from Buncrana to die in the explosion.

Sean McLaughlin (12), from Buncrana, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Sean was an altar boy at the local church, St Michael’s Oratory. The McLaughlin family lived just a few doors away from the Doherty family who also lost a son in the explosion. Sean was one of three boys from Buncrana to die in the explosion.

Oran Doherty (8), from Buncrana. Oran was one of three boys from Buncrana to die in the explosion. His family said that he had been looking forward to going to Omagh all week.

Fernando Blasco Baselga  (12), from Madrida, Spain. Fernando was a Spanish student who was one of a group taking part in a student exchange programme to Buncrana. He was from Madrid. His parents travelled to Omagh to bring home his body. The Spanish ambassador also travelled to Ireland to help with the arrangements.

Rocio Abad Ramos (23), from Madrid, Spain. Rocia was a Spanish group leader who was taking part in a student exchange programme to Buncrana, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Rocio Abad was on her fifth trip to Ireland. She was the leader of the exchange group and was helping supervise the Spanish children on a day trip to Omagh as part of their language course. She had been due to be married soon after the bombing.

Geraldine Breslin (43), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Geraldine was killed after she had left Watterson’s clothes shop where she was employed. She was a close friend of Anne McComber who was also killed.

Deborah Anne Cartwright (20), from Birchwood, Omagh, County Tyrone.

Gareth Conway (18), from Carrickmore. Gareth was about to enrol in an engineering course at the University of Ulster at Magee when he was killed. His father Mickey played handball at All-Ireland level and he and his wife Marie have another two sons and three daughters.

Breda Devine (20 months), from Donemana, County Tyrone. Breda was taken by her mother Tracey (27) her into Omagh to shop for a wedding gift. Tracey Devine was seriously injured after suffering 60 per cent burns.

Aidan Gallagher (21), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Aidan Gallagher had gone to Watterson’s shop to buy some clothes. He had studied car bodywork at Portadown College and spent two years building up his own firm. He would normally have been working on a Saturday afternoon but changed his plans and decided to go into town with a friend instead. His friend was badly injured. Aidan was the only son of the Gallagher family.

Esther Gibson (36), from Beragh, County Tyrone. Esther came from a large family, she was the eldest of five girls and six boys who grew up on a farm outside Beragh. She had worked in Desmonds clothing factory for 15 years and was a Sunday school teacher. Her uncle was Oliver Gibson, the DUP assembly member for West Tyrone. She was due to be married the next July.

Mary Grimes (65), from Beragh, County Tyrone. Mother of Avril Monaghan (30), and grandmother of Maura Monaghan (18 months) who were also killed in the explosion. Mary Grimes was a mother of 12. She was born in County Cork, and she was a former maternity nurse. She was on a trip to Omagh to celebrate her birthday.

Olive Hawkes  (60), from Omagh, County Tyrone.

Julia Hughes (21), Omagh, County Tyrone. Julia was studying at Dundee University but had returned to Omagh for the summer to find temporary employment. She was to return to Scotland next month. She was working in Image Xpress, a photo shop in the High Street in Omagh.

Brenda Logue  (17), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Brenda and was one of a family of five. Brenda had left her mother and grandmother in a shop to see what was happening in the street outside. She was caught by the full force of the bomb. Her mother and grandmother escaped with cuts and bruises.

Anne McCombe  (49), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Anne was a close friend of Geraldine Breslin who also died in the explosion. They had both worked together in Watterson’s clothes shop. Anne was a Protestant and Geraldine a Catholic but their friendship bridged the sectarian divide. Ann was married with two sons.

Brian McCrory (54), from Omagh, County Tyrone.

Samantha McFarland (17), Omagh, County Tyrone. Samatha was a student at Strabane Grammar School. She was killed alongside her best friend Lorraine Wilson.

Seán McGrath (61), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Seán McGrath was a businessman, who was married with four children. He died in hospital on Saturday 5 September 1998.

Jolene Marlow (17), from Eskra, Omagh, County Tyrone. Joelene and her sister Nicola (15) had taken their great aunt, Bernie Shaw (75), into Omagh on a shopping trip. Jolene had three brothers.

Avril Monaghan (30), from Augher, County Tyrone. Avril was seven months pregnant with twins. She had four children under 7. She was in town with her 18-month-old daughter Maura and her mother, Mary Grimes, to celebrate Mary’s birthday. All three family members died in the explosion as well as the two unborn children.

Maura Monaghan (18 months), from Augher, County Tyrone. Maura’s mother and grandmother were also killed. Maura was the youngest victim of the bombing.

Alan Radford (16), Omagh, County Tyrone. Alan was due to get his GCSE results . Alan was in town to help his mother with the shopping. Alan’s body wasn’t identified until Sunday.

Libby Rush (57), Omagh, County Tyrone. Elizabeth Rush owned a pine and canework shop next door to the Cosy Corner pub in Omagh. She had a cafe upstairs which was a popular meeting place in the town. Elizabeth was killed in her shop.

Veda Short (56), from Gortaclare, Omagh, County Tyrone. Veda was another member of the staff at Watterson’s clothes shop. She was married with one son, three daughters and a grandchild.

Philomena Skelton (39), from Dooish, Durmquin. On Saturday Philomena was accompanied by her husband Kevin and daughters Shauna (13), Tracey (15), and Paula (18). Her son Ray (16) was not with the family that afternoon. Philomena was caught in the explosion as her daughters tried on school uniforms. Kevin was in a neighbouring shop when the bomb exploded and escaped with light injuries.

Fred White (60), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Fred had just returned home from a holiday abroad and went into the centre of the town to do some shopping. He was an office-holder in the local Omagh Ulster Unionist Association. He died alongside his son Brian (27).

Bryan White (26), from Omagh, County Tyrone. Brian was killed alongside his father Fred White.

Lorraine Wilson (15), Omagh, County Tyrone. Lorraine was working with her best friend Samantha McFarland in the charity shop run by Oxfam in Omagh. They were evacuated and left the building together. They walked into the area where the bomb exploded.

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