Sir, - Our hearts are in pieces following the devastation in Omagh at the weekend. Our hopes and aspirations that, at last, the madness of the past 30 years on this island had come to an end were shattered by the mindless, reckless men and women who planned and carried out this horrific deed.
As an Irish family we hang our heads in shame that such atrocities could be carried out by fellow countrymen in our name. Our history, our culture, our ethos has in the past taught us as an nation to stand up against tyranny and injustice.
These are not our people and they belong not to this island. We say to the murderers of Omagh: if you really believe you are soldiers of Ireland, then you must answer for the war crimes you committed on August 15th on a summer's afternoon in the quiet and peaceful town of Omagh.
God forgive you. We find it hard to do so at the moment. - Yours, etc., David Rafferty, Nichola Hanley,
Kilmacanogue,
Co Wicklow.