The Omagh bombing inquiry has heard tributes to two 17-year-old girls who were “on the cusp of a new and exciting life” and a father of three whose death left his family with an “immeasurable loss”.
Brenda Logue, Jolene Marlow and Brian McCrory were among 31 people, including unborn twins, who were killed when the dissident republican bomb exploded in the centre of the Co Tyrone town on August 15th, 1998.
On Wednesday they were commemorated at the inquiry into the bombing at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, which began hearing evidence last week.
The inquiry was ordered by the UK government to examine whether the atrocity could reasonably have been prevented by British state authorities.
Three men convicted of rape and sexual assault of woman they met in Dublin nightclub
Shock and upset at death of couple in Kerry from former colleagues of ‘brilliant, bright’ Hazel Byrne
‘We’ll own it’: Trump’s audacious plan to take over Gaza and displace two million Palestinians
NCT passes ‘unroadworthy’ car as fit for the road
The inquiry is currently hearing pen portraits of each of the victims and will then move on to personal statements from the injured and those directly affected by the bombing.
Ms Logue’s brother Cathal described his sister Brenda as a “sweet-natured girl” who was full of consideration for others, she was a leader in her local youth club, a talented Gaelic footballer and hoped to become a PE teacher.
Ms Marlow was remembered “a loving daughter, a caring sister to her four siblings, a role model for her schools, a great team player for her sports teams, a responsible employee, a special friend to her then boyfriend of ten months, a much loved granddaughter, niece, cousin and a friend to all who knew her.”
Mr McCrory was, his daughter said, a “gentle giant” who was a “loving husband and an amazing father” and a “good man, decent and hard-working”, with a “strong faith” and “dedicated to his family.”
Addressing the inquiry accompanied by his brother Carl, Mr Logue said their mother Mary died of cancer in November, but before her death she had discussed with her sons what she would like to say to the inquiry, and he would deliver her statement in her memory.
Outlining his mother’s memories of his sister, Mr Logue said “she got roller skates one Christmas, they were navy and yellow, I remember it like yesterday. It was all she wanted that year, and she wouldn’t take them off.
“If I close my eyes, I can see her now, trying her best.”
A talented Gaelic footballer, Brenda played senior football for her county. “She had great potential, as I was told by many, and I often wonder just how far she would have gone.
[ State to provide assistance for UK’s Omagh bombing inquiryOpens in new window ]
Describing the day of the bombing, when his mother and sister had been shopping in Omagh, Mr Logue said they had been in a shop when “Brenda walked out of the shop to see what was happening.
“The last thing I remember of Brenda was her ponytail swishing as she walked out the door. The blast would throw me back into a wall and I would be knocked unconscious, or so I was told.
“When I came around, I knew in my heart she was gone, but I got up and went out to look for her” Mr Logue said on his mother’s behalf.
Through her son, Ms Logue’s mother reflected on the “irreversible emotional damage” caused to their family by Brenda’s loss..
In a statement written by Bridie Marlow, the mother of Jolene Marlow, that was read to the inquiry later on Wednesday, the 17-year-old was described as “a special child” from the moment she was born, and someone who had a bright future.
Academically successful and a keen Gaelic footballer and camogie player, she represented both her school and her parish, where just one week before the bombing, she had a key role in helping her team, St Macartan’s, win their first ever county final.
“With her desire to become a sports physiotherapist, she had a zest for life and to do well,” her mother said.
“We always secretly dreaded the thought of Jolene being in Belfast in case the Troubles would flare up.
“Little did we know then that our hometown of Omagh, where Jolene had attended school, had a part-time job, was learning to drive, socialised and shopped, would be the actual place where she would be denied all her hopes and dreams of her bright future.”
In a statement delivered on behalf of Mr McCrory’s daughter Louise, the inquiry heard the 54-year-old had a “kindness and gentle spirit that anyone who knew him experienced, and a beautiful, warm, open smile that made you feel comfortable and safe”.
She described his beloved crane named “Crafty Catherine” and how, as children, she and her brothers “often enjoyed Saturday mornings tucked in the cab of Catherine, or playing in the mills while he worked”.
He took photographs on the morning of the explosion, the inquiry heard, “and had gone into Omagh to collect a prescription from the chemist, dropping off his photographs at the same time”.
Mr McCrory’s daughter spoke of the impact of her father’s loss on his family. “He missed all the big events, but also the small, day-to-day things in our lives, the simple enjoyment of just being together, eating family dinners or even something as simple as having a cup of tea.
“Each of us began our wedding day with an early morning visit to our Dad’s grave, to be able to share even a part of the day with him,” she said.
“We experience life much differently with not having Dad in it. Our family events are overshadowed by an immeasurable loss and always a constant awareness of our missing husband, father and friend, our gentle giant.”
The inquiry resumes on Thursday.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
