A mother whose 12-year-old son died in the Omagh bombing believes the pain of his loss will never ease, a public inquiry has heard.
Shaun McLaughlin was one of three schoolboys who lived in Buncrana in Co Donegal who were killed in the Real IRA bombing on August 15th, 1998. James Barker (12) and Oran Doherty (8) also died.
They had been on a day trip with a group of Spanish students who had been attending a summer programme in the Donegal town.
The outing was to the Ulster American Folk Park just outside Omagh, but the leaders had agreed to let the children finish off the day with a look around the shops in town.
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A statement written by Shaun’s mother Patricia was read to the Omagh bombing inquiry on Monday by her sister Marjorie McDaid.
At the outset of its programme of work, the inquiry is holding four weeks of commemorative hearings to give the families of the 29 victims an opportunity to pay tribute to their lost loved ones.
The statement read on Mrs McLaughlin’s behalf recalled her son as a happy boy who was so excited to be going on the trip to Omagh with his friends.
His mother then described the harrowing hours after the blast and the devastating moment the bus arrived back in Buncrana and her son was not on it.
“I sat and watched all the other children get off the bus, but Shaun never got off the bus,” his mother stated.
His mother also described his funeral as a “total farce”, as she expressed frustration that dignitaries appeared to be prioritised ahead of grieving families.
“There were too many important people there from the political parties, they all even had reserved seats, but there was no reserved seats for the three families who were burying their children,” she said.
Reflecting on the years since the bombing, Mrs McLaughlin described the long-lasting impact on the family, especially Shaun’s younger siblings Elaine and Christopher.
“It seems like a lifetime since I held him,” she added.
“If somebody had said to me before I lost a child that you will feel exactly the same 26 years later, I wouldn’t have believed them. I would have thought maybe a couple of years that you would be brokenhearted, but that you will still move on. It’s going to have to ease. But it just doesn’t.”
Also remembered was a Sunday school teacher whose death cut short a life rich in kindness, love and promise, the inquiry heard.
Esther Gibson (36) was engaged to be married at the time of her death.
The trained secretary, who worked at an Omagh clothing factory, was one of 29 people who lost their lives on the day.
The second week of commemorative hearings for the victims began with a tribute written by Ms Gibson’s four younger sisters.
It was read by one of her nieces in a recorded presentation played to inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull.
It described how Ms Gibson had grown up as part of a tight-knit family that lived on a farm near Beragh, Co Tyrone.
Ms Gibson’s sisters spoke of the “joy and purpose” she found in her strong Christian faith. She was a regular attender at Sixmilecross Free Presbyterian Church, where she was known for her “warmth and generosity”.
“Esther was also actively involved in her church community, teaching Sunday school classes and serving as a role model for the younger generation,” the sisters’ statement said.
“Her commitment to her faith and to helping others was evident in all aspects of her life.
“At the time of her death, Esther was engaged to be married, looking forward to a future filled with hope and happiness. She was a young woman with much to look forward to. Her career was flourishing, her faith was strong, and she was preparing to embark on a new chapter of her life with her fiance.
“Esther’s murder cut short a life that was rich in kindness, love and promise.
“She was deeply loved by her family, friends and community, and her absence is profoundly felt by all who knew her.” – PA
