Queen meets IRA bomb families

Written By Unknown on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 | 5:40 AM

The Queen attended a service of thanksgiving in EnniskillenThe Queen attended a service of thanksgiving in Enniskillen

The Queen has met relatives of the victims of an IRA bombing in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 25 years ago.

Enniskillen was the scene of one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles when 11 people were killed on Remembrance Sunday in 1987.

The Queen and Prince Philip are on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour.

Thousands of people lined the streets to welcome the couple.

The royal flight was delayed for about an hour due to bad weather.

The meeting with Enniskillen families included those injured in the atrocity.

Stephen Gault was injured in the bombing, and his father, Samuel, was killed.

He said he had been "looking forward to a private meeting with the Queen and the duke on this the 25th anniversary of the Poppy Day bomb".

More than 700 people attended the serviceMore than 700 people attended the service

Earlier, the royal couple attended a service of thanksgiving in Enniskillen to mark her 60-year reign.

The Queen is wearing a Wedgwood blue crepe outfit by royal designer Angela Kelly, complemented by a shamrock diamond brooch.

The Queen's itinerary will also include a meeting with former IRA leader and NI's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

NI Secretary Owen Paterson, who is accompanying Her Majesty during her trip, previously said her Stormont visit would have been "unthinkable" years ago.

The service of thanksgiving at St Macartin's Cathedral in Enniskillen was attended by more than 700 people including senior Protestant and Catholic clergy.

The lesson was read by First Minister Peter Robinson.

Analysis


By visiting the western tip of the United Kingdom, the Queen was making a point about history as well as geography.

Enniskillen will be forever remembered as the town which endured one of the worst IRA atrocities of the Troubles.

The Queen's trip to the County Fermanagh town - and her meeting with relatives of the victims - showed she had not forgotten.

The visit was also a chance for County Fermanagh people to catch a glimpse of one of the most famous faces in the world. Thousands lined the streets.

The jovial atmosphere was summed up by the banner "Go Lizzie Go".

The Prayers of Intercession were led by Reverend Ken Lindsay, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Catholic Primate of Ireland Sean Brady and the Right Reverend Dr Roy Patton Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

The sermon was delivered by the Most Reverend Alan Harper OBE, Archbishop of Armagh, who went on to pronounce The Blessing.

The Right Reverend John McDowell, led the Diamond Jubilee Prayer, which had been written at the Queen's direction by the Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral for Her Majesty's Jubilee.

The Queen will meet Sinn Fein's Mr McGuinness on day two of her visit, at an arts event in Belfast.

Ireland's head of state President Michael D Higgins and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson will also be there.

The two-day visit is the Queen's 20th trip to Northern Ireland.

Some protests by dissident republicans have been expected, but an anti-royal demonstration in Belfast at the weekend only attracted about 300 people.

The Queen's ground-breaking four-day visit to the Irish Republic last year cemented a new era in British-Irish relations.

In spite of speculation that the handshake between Mr McGuinness and the Queen would be off-camera, Mr McGuinness said he had no objection to the encounter being photographed.

  • There is coverage of the Queen's Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland from 10:45 BST on BBC One, which will be streamed live on the BBC NI news website. There is also an extended Talkback on Radio Ulster from 10:45 BST until 13:30 BST.

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