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Relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing have gathered to remember their loved ones 20 years after the explosion.<\/p>\nRelatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing have gathered to remember their loved ones 20 years after the explosion.<\/p>\n
An inter-dominational remembrance service is taking place at the memorial garden in the Co Tyrone town.<\/p>\n
Twenty-nine people, including a pregnant woman with twins, were killed in the car bomb ripped through Omagh on August 15, 1998.<\/p>\n
The victims came from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England and Spain.<\/p>\n
The atrocity was claimed by a republican splinter group which called itself the Real IRA.<\/p>\n
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable, George Hamilton, former Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O\u2019Loan, and Ireland\u2019s Health Minister Simon Harris, are among those attending the event.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British Secretary of State Karen Bradley were both criticized for their decision not to attend the 20th anniversary.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Ms Bradley said: \u201cI would like to express my deepest sympathy to those affected by the devastating Omagh bombing ahead of the 20th anniversary this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope today\u2019s commemoration ceremony provides comfort to all those bereaved and is marked by hope and remembrance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must never forget the loss that the victims of terrorism live with each day and the remarkable courage of all those affected by such unspeakable acts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Omagh Community Youth Choir is performing a piece of music composed for the event by its musical director Daryl Simpson.<\/p>\n
The choir includes Cara McGillion, 17, the daughter of Donna Marie and Garry who were left seriously injured in the attack.<\/p>\n
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among those killed, paid tribute to all the victims of the 30-year Northern Ireland conflict, including the La Mon hotel IRA bombing which killed members of a local collie club in 1978.<\/p>\n
The service included speeches from victims campaigners from the US and was attended by Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable George Hamilton and a representative of the Irish Government, among others.<\/p>\n
Relatives of the dead sat opposite the reflecting pool at the memorial garden, their garlands of flowers reflected in the pool.<\/p>\n
A song was sung for Our Special Absent Friends.<\/p>\n