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Pics: Remembering the Omagh bomb that killed 29 people 15 years ago today

The Real IRA planted the bomb in a parked car on Market Street in 1998.

By Amy Croffey Thursday 15 Aug 2013, 1:04 PM
Aug 15th 2013, 1:04 PM 14,714 Views 145 Comments
https://jrnl.ie/1038358

TODAY MARKS 15 years since a bomb detonated in Omagh town, Co Tyrone killing 29 people, including a pregnant women with twins.

Around 220 people were also injured in the attack.

The Real IRA planted the bomb in a parked car on Market Street in 1998, detonating at around 3.10pm.

Though many men have faced charges over the bomb, no one has ever been convicted.

Last week, familes and representatives from the British and Irish governments attended the inter-denominational service to remember the victims.

Relatives and Amnesty International have called for a cross-border public inquiry, as they that questions remain unanswered over the policing and intelligence gathering around the bombing.

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Here is a look-back to 1998, the year of the disaster:

Pics: Remembering the Omagh bomb that killed 29 people 15 years ago today
1 / 24

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Emergency personnel inspect the damage. (AP Photo/Paul McErlane)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    A casualty is rushed to a helicopter to be airlifted from Tyrone County Hospital Saturday on August 15 to the Belfast Royal Hospital after the car bomb exploded. (AP Photo / Peter Murphy)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Police officers stand on Market Street, the scene of a car bombing, in the centre of Omagh.(AP Photo/Paul McErlane)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    The coffin of Samantha McFarland, aged 17, is carried into Lislimnaghan Parish Church, past her friends from Strabane Grammar School. (AP Photo/Louisa Buller)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Royal Ulster Constabulary police officers and firefighters inspect the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, 72 miles west of Belfast. PA PHOTO PAUL MCERLANE

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    The coffin of Oran Doherty (8) draped in a Celtic Football club flag enters the church. Oran, Shaun McLaughlin (12) and James Barker (12) were buried side by side after mass at St Mary's Church in Buncrana, Co Donegal. (Pic taken on 19/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Flowers left at the scene were the bomb exploded. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    David Trimble, Ulster Unionist Party leader arrives at the funeral of Oran Doherty, Shaun Mc Laughlin and James Barker. (Pic taken on 19/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    People leave flowers for the three Watersons book shop workers who were killed in the Omagh bomb - Geraldine Breslin (35), Veda Short (56) and Ann Mc Combe (48). (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    The coffin of Oran Doherty (8) at St Mary's Church in Buncrana, Co Donegal. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Flowers left at shops in Omagh town were 29 people were killed by the car bomb. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    The coffin of Oran Doherty enters the church. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Michael Doherty says goodbye to his son, Oran. 19/8/1998 Pic Photocall Ireland

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Mourners turn out in their droves for Oran Doherty's funeral. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Martin Mc Guinness and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams at the funeral of Oran Doherty, Shaun McLaughlin and James Barker. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Young and old at a remembrance service in Omagh town wait for the clock to strike 3.10pm to mark the 29 people killed by a Real IRA car bomb one week earlier. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Laying wreaths near the disaster. Pic: Photocall Ireland

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    A moment of emotion from politicians as they observe a minute silence during a rememberance service a week after the bomb. Those present were David Trimble UUP Leader, John Prescott MP and Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party, Irish President Mary Mc Aleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Martin Mc Aleese and Minister of State Bobby Molloy TD, Minister of State Liz O Donnell, Northern Ireland Minister Paul Murphy, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon and John Hume Leader of the SDLP. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Michael Doherty and his family look down to Market Street remembering his 8-year-old son Oran who was killed a week earlier by a Real IRA car bomb. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    A moment of emotion from politicians. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin Mc Guinness during the rememberance service. Pic Photocall Ireland

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    More wreaths to remember the 29 people murdered by the Real IRA. Pic Photocall Ireland

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Flowers and teddies for the men, women and children killed. Pic: Photocall Ireland

  • Omagh bomb 15th anniversary

    Crowds flock to Omagh for the rememberance service a week later. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • Emergency personnel inspect the damage. (AP Photo/Paul McErlane)
  • A casualty is rushed to a helicopter to be airlifted from Tyrone County Hospital Saturday on August 15 to the Belfast Royal Hospital after the car bomb exploded. (AP Photo / Peter Murphy)
  • Police officers stand on Market Street, the scene of a car bombing, in the centre of Omagh.(AP Photo/Paul McErlane)
  • The coffin of Samantha McFarland, aged 17, is carried into Lislimnaghan Parish Church, past her friends from Strabane Grammar School. (AP Photo/Louisa Buller)
  • Royal Ulster Constabulary police officers and firefighters inspect the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, 72 miles west of Belfast. PA PHOTO PAUL MCERLANE
  • The coffin of Oran Doherty (8) draped in a Celtic Football club flag enters the church. Oran, Shaun McLaughlin (12) and James Barker (12) were buried side by side after mass at St Mary's Church in Buncrana, Co Donegal. (Pic taken on 19/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)
  • Flowers left at the scene were the bomb exploded. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • David Trimble, Ulster Unionist Party leader arrives at the funeral of Oran Doherty, Shaun Mc Laughlin and James Barker. (Pic taken on 19/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)
  • People leave flowers for the three Watersons book shop workers who were killed in the Omagh bomb - Geraldine Breslin (35), Veda Short (56) and Ann Mc Combe (48). (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • The coffin of Oran Doherty (8) at St Mary's Church in Buncrana, Co Donegal. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • Flowers left at shops in Omagh town were 29 people were killed by the car bomb. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • The coffin of Oran Doherty enters the church. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • Michael Doherty says goodbye to his son, Oran. 19/8/1998 Pic Photocall Ireland
  • Mourners turn out in their droves for Oran Doherty's funeral. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • Martin Mc Guinness and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams at the funeral of Oran Doherty, Shaun McLaughlin and James Barker. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • Young and old at a remembrance service in Omagh town wait for the clock to strike 3.10pm to mark the 29 people killed by a Real IRA car bomb one week earlier. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)
  • Laying wreaths near the disaster. Pic: Photocall Ireland
  • A moment of emotion from politicians as they observe a minute silence during a rememberance service a week after the bomb. Those present were David Trimble UUP Leader, John Prescott MP and Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party, Irish President Mary Mc Aleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Martin Mc Aleese and Minister of State Bobby Molloy TD, Minister of State Liz O Donnell, Northern Ireland Minister Paul Murphy, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon and John Hume Leader of the SDLP. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)
  • Michael Doherty and his family look down to Market Street remembering his 8-year-old son Oran who was killed a week earlier by a Real IRA car bomb. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)
  • A moment of emotion from politicians. (Pic taken on 22/8/1998 by Photocall Ireland)
  • Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin Mc Guinness during the rememberance service. Pic Photocall Ireland
  • More wreaths to remember the 29 people murdered by the Real IRA. Pic Photocall Ireland
  • Flowers and teddies for the men, women and children killed. Pic: Photocall Ireland
  • Crowds flock to Omagh for the rememberance service a week later. (Pic: Photocall Ireland)

Related: Amnesty International joins calls for Omagh inquiry>

More: Heavy garda presence expected at funeral of Omagh suspect>

Also: Widespread condemnation as violence returns to the streets of Omagh>

About the author:

About the author
Amy Croffey
@AmyCroffey
amycroffey@thejournal.ie

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