Enniskillen relatives vow to continue fight for justice

Relatives whose loved ones were killed in the Enniskillen bombing have vowed to keep their memories alive and continue fighting for justice, on the 30th anniversary of the atrocity.

The IRA bomb exploded without warning ahead of a Remembrance Sunday memorial ceremony on November 8 1987, in one of the most infamous incidents of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Eleven people were killed and scores more were injured. A 12th victim died in December 2000 after spending 13 years in a coma due to injuries sustained in the attack.

The Poppy Day bomb ripped through the Co Fermanagh town while locals were attending a ceremony at the war memorial.

The device was planted in a building close to the memorial and when it detonated the walls collapsed on top of those who had gathered to pay respects to the war dead.

The actions of the bombers stood in stark contrast to the response of bereaved father Gordon Wilson, who made headlines around the world with his words of forgiveness for those who killed his daughter Marie, a 19-year-old student nurse.

Ivy Lambert, 85, holds a photograph of her son Adam
Ivy Lambert, 85, holds a photograph of her son Adam

Another innocent victim of the Troubles was killed the following day when loyalist paramilitaries sought to retaliate by shooting a Catholic in west Belfast. Due to mistaken identity, they killed a Protestant student, Adam Lambert.

No one has ever been held to account for the Enniskillen bombing.

Joan Anderson, whose parents William and Agnes Mullan were killed in the attack, said: "You have to learn to live with it or else you're another victim and I refuse to be another victim.

Margaret Veitch and her sister Joan Anderson
Margaret Veitch and her sister Joan Anderson

"You heal to a point but it's inside you and it never leaves. Every day of my life I miss my parents.

"I can say that after 30 years, you finally get to the point where you can accept that it happened but you do not forget and I am still angry about it. I'm angry that right across Northern Ireland, good people have been killed and we have been forgotten about."

Aileen Quinton, whose mother Alberta was killed, said: "It's so hard to believe that it's been 30 years. There's just an unreality about it. At the time, it just felt too awful to be true and in many ways it still is. I'm no more used to it. It's still awful and it still matters."

Aileen Quinton
Aileen Quinton

Ten people were arrested in connection with the bombing but no charges were ever brought.

Detective Superintendent Ian Harrison, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Legacy Investigation Branch, said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland remains committed to pursuing investigative options should they develop in the future."

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