People from all over the world continue to express powerful feelings in the Omagh Bombing Discussion Forum on The Irish Times on the Web. More than 500 messages were submitted to the forum by 3 p.m. yesterday, and more than 2,000 people have signed a book of condolence.
Shock, revulsion and anger at the atrocity are the emotions conveyed through the messages from Australia, the US, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Israel, New Zealand, Canada, Chile and across Europe as well as readers from Northern Ireland and the Republic.
"I pray that the savages who did this are brought to justice and that when they're locked up the key is thrown away and may they rot in hell," wrote Mr Tony Lally from Sydney.
"As someone who has lived in Israel for eight years and has seen what terrorist bombings look like, I am disgusted with the latest outrage by fanatics in the name of `ideals'," said Mr George Muenz.
"Looking at such an atrocity from Kuala Lumpur, one cannot help feeling that Ireland is no different to Kosovo, the Republic of Congo or Algeria, and yet I know that the people of our country want peace so badly and we want it now," said Mr Niall O'Reilly.
Members of the expatriate community are shamed by the explosion, with many echoing Mr Patrick McCarrick: "At this moment in time all I can say is that I am ashamed to be Irish. In the US, the media spread the view that all Irish men and women are to blame for this cowardly sick bombing . . . When will it ever end?"
Internment is also discussed. "For the first time in my life I find myself in favour of internment and of the death penalty," wrote Mr Gerard Gleeson.
"Having lived in Northern Ireland through the 1970s internment phase, and having seen its disastrous consequences, I find it difficult to advocate such an action," said Mr Peter Gibbons. "But I am convinced that this is one of many post-Omagh actions that must be taken."
There have been pleas to keep faith in the peace process. Mr John Paul O'Driscoll from Montgomery, Alabama, wrote: "Alongside the horror, grief, heartbreak, and hatred that this diabolical bombing has generated, I hope and pray the brave people of Northern Ireland will find the determination, will-power, courage, and the brotherhood with all of their neighbours, and resist all attempts by the terrorists to force them off the path of peace."
Another contributor, Ms Ginny Matranga, summed up many messages when she advised readers to "hold your loved ones close and cherish the time you have, for we are all at the mercy of those who see fit to kill and maim".
The book of condolence will remain open until early next week, when it will be presented to Omagh District Council. The discussion forum is a permanent feature of The Irish Times on the Web's Path to Peace site.
The book of condolence and the discussion forum can be accessed from The Irish Times website at www.irish-times.com.