The mother of Shaun McLaughlin, a victim of the Omagh bombing, shares her enduring pain and the impact on her family during a public inquiry into the tragedy.
Omagh: A mother spoke at a public inquiry about her son, Shaun McLaughlin, who died in the Omagh bombing. She believes the pain of losing him will never fade.
Shaun was just 12 years old. He was one of three boys killed in the attack. The other boys were James Barker and Oran Doherty. They were on a day trip with Spanish students.
The group was visiting the Ulster American Folk Park. Afterward, they were allowed to explore shops in town. Sadly, the bombing happened during this outing.
Shaun’s mother, Patricia, shared her memories during the inquiry. She recalled how excited Shaun was for the trip. But after the blast, she faced a heartbreaking reality.
When the bus returned to Buncrana, Shaun was not on it. Patricia watched as other children got off, but her son never did. This moment was devastating for her.
She described the emotional journey of bringing Shaun’s body back home. People lined the streets to pay their respects. His funeral was difficult, with many dignitaries present, but no reserved seats for grieving families.
Patricia reflected on the lasting impact of Shaun’s death on their family. His younger siblings, Elaine and Christopher, also feel the loss deeply. She expressed that it feels like a lifetime since she held him.
Even after 26 years, the pain remains. Patricia mentioned that she never expected to feel this way so long after losing a child. The fight for answers about the bombing continues.
She hopes the inquiry will shed light on what happened that day. Patricia believes that understanding the tragedy can bring some hope to the families affected.
Shaun was a symbol of hope for peace in Ireland. He even wrote a poem about the Good Friday Agreement. This poem was shared during the inquiry, highlighting his vision for unity.
A song using Shaun’s poem was played, accompanied by images of him. The inquiry chairman praised Patricia’s strength in sharing her story.
He emphasized the lasting impact of Shaun’s loss on his family. The inquiry aims to honor the victims and understand the pain caused by the bombing.
