2008 TV runner-up
Cliona is 17 years-old and lives in Cork. Cliona wrote about the Omagh Bombing.
Omagh Bombing
While showing footage of a busy Saturday on the streets of Omagh, the following is read:
"As the town of Omagh swarms with people, it’s difficult to comprehend the atrocity that occurred on these very streets ten years ago. For many people, the 22nd of August is marked by disturbing memories of the Omagh bombing which claimed the lives of 29 civilians and injured a further 250. Although shop facades have been restored and faces have changed, the scars of that fateful day run deep in this quiet northern town".
Interview three inhabitants of Omagh on the street who have been living in the vicinity before and after 1998. Ask questions that specifically deal with:
- the aftershock of the bombing on the atmosphere of the town and tourism
- hostilities between Loyalists and Republicans
- their opinion on the current state of apparent peacefulness in Omagh
- an account of the day of the bombing from their perspective
The 10th anniversary of the worst atrocity of the Troubles was commemorated this afternoon in County Tyrone. The emotional ceremony was attended by relatives of the victims who were joined by community representatives and dignitaries. However, the ceremony was kept deliberately non-political, with no representatives of any party speaking on stage.
Continue reading as footage of the ceremony in Omagh is shown- concentrate specifically on the:
- citizens laying down flowers
- emotional scenes in the crowds
- unveiling of the new monument
- and show brief clips of the political figures in attendance, in particular Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and junior minister Jeffrey Donaldson
Although a decade has passed, tears flowed freely among the crowd as they gathered in remembrance of a shared loss. For many the ceremony opened old wounds and forced them back to a time in which their loved ones left for Omagh one busy Saturday afternoon, only never to return home again.
The day was also marked by the official opening of the newly constructed Garden of Light memorial, designed by Irishman Seán Hillen. Present at the ceremony was newly appointed Taoiseach Brian Cowen who was earlier criticised by relatives of the deceased for his failure to conduct a public inquiry into the bombing.
Show clip of Brian Cowen at a separate location to the ceremony as he says:
"The civil action seems to be the best means they can (use to) find out what exactly happened on that occasion. But it’s really a very difficult time for families and I don’t want to add to their sense of grief or loss. Ten years ago this day, an awful tragedy occurred with huge loss of life and an awful maiming of very many people, and the sheer senselessness of it all came home to me when I visited the place where that car bomb was placed.The people have spoken; people want to have a peaceful future together and they are the antithesis of all the decency and the effort and the hope that is represented by the political process being waged".
The following is to be read while footage is shown of Donna Marie and Garry McGillon as they attended the ceremony:
Donna Marie had travelled to Omagh in anticipation of her wedding to fiancée Garry McGillon, which was planned to take place two weeks later. They accompanied their 18 month old niece Breda Devine for whom they were shopping for shoes as flower girl for their wedding. Brave survivor Donna Marie suffered third-degree burns on 65% of her body which were so severe that she was only recognisable by her engagement ring. Her niece Breda Devine, tragically lost her life later in hospital.
Interview with Donna Marie McGillon. Questions will be asked specifically dealing with:
her feelings on the day of the remembrance ceremony and how the bombing has impacted her life
the operations she has endured in an effort to restore her damaged skin
her role as the survivor instead of a victim of the bombing and how she has gone forth to marry her fiancée on March 27, 1999 and have their first child, Cara in August 2001 (soon followed by brother Cormac)
Also mention the awards she has received, such as Pride of Britain’s bravery award in 1999
Flash forward to the end of the ceremony, with close shots of the petals scattered on the ground and flowers laid for the victims.
As the crowds disperse, people leave with heavy hearts and minds. Many family members still feel that justice has not been done for their deceased relatives.
Yet in a tragedy that has left 29 men, women and children, and two unborn twins massacred, it is difficult to imagine that any justice can be resolved from this sad spectacle. We now leave you with clips of the 22nd of August, 1998.
Roll slideshow with the Choirboy’s version of "Tears In Heaven"
Quote rom the judging panel
Good attempt at a difficult subject. Cliona had all the right elements, but in the wrong order. She should have started with today’s story - the ceremony - then introduce the powerful story of Donna Marie, and end with the reflective material. A very good and moving ending.