The Omagh Bombing Inquiry began its second week of commemorative hearings, focusing on the 29 victims of the 1998 Real IRA attack. Survivors shared poignant memories and personal revelations, notably from Ronan McGrory, who recounted the traumatic day and its aftermath. He detailed how he and a group of young friends were visiting when the bomb exploded. McGrory's reflections on guilt and loss highlight the lasting psychological impact on survivors, illustrating the tragedy's profound emotional consequences on families and communities.
Mr McGrory said he had been 14 at the time and recalled a beautiful sunny day before the bomb went off. In his statement to the inquiry, he said the only way he could describe it was like 'being dead without knowing I was dead'.
He said he did not remember any particular sounds, just that he woke up holding a holy medal tightly in his hand and the day had transformed from beautiful and sunny to smoke.
Later, in hospital, he learnt of the death of his friends on the television news, which he described as the 'worst moment of his life'.
In his statement he said he was 'overcome by instant guilt'. 'We were the older ones and we were supposed to look after the younger ones...'
Survivor Ronan McGrory expressed that survivors were 'just left behind,' highlighting the emotional and psychological scars that the Omagh bombing left on those who lived through it.
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