Thousands on streets to call for end to violence

Published on Sunday 10 April 2011 19:20

THOUSANDS of people marched for peace in Omagh, one week after the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in the Co Tyrone town.

The mass rally yesterday was a powerful demonstration against violence in a community which suffered the infamous 1998 bombing by dissident republicans that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.

The peace march came as police investigating the murder of the 25-year-old Catholic officer continued to question three men in connection with the killing.

Detectives, who on Friday were granted an extra five days to question a 26-year-old and a 40-year-old detained over the attack, were yesterday also allowed a further five days to question a 33-year-old arrested by investigators.

Dissident republicans opposed to the peace process were blamed for the booby trap device that exploded under the policeman's car on 2 April. The same extremists are believed to be behind a 500lb van bomb police discovered near the border town of Newry on Thursday.

While yesterday's march was not party political, organisers said it was intended to send a message of support in the peace process.

Gareth McElduff used Facebook to co-ordinate the rally. He said: "Although these are major, major setbacks in the peace process, hopefully the amount of people that are going to come out today is going to show every-body that we want peace in Ireland again and we don't want to go back to the Troubles."