The Omagh Bombing Attack

Throughout the troubles in the north of Ireland many acts of terrorism have taken place by both Irish Republican and British Unionist killers. The IRA and UVF and other violent gangs declared war not on each other but moreso on the ordinary innocent people.

'Causes' have always been seen as an excuse to ignore and neutralise people's rights, especially their right to life and safety - the 'cause' becoming merely an empty catch-phrase justification. 'Cause' was, and still is, seen as an excuse for inhumane and brutal actions against those who are vunerable.

Now that there is some sort of political stability arriving in the North of Ireland these mindless killers have dropped the shallow freedom-fighting catch-phrases and can now be seen for what they always were - souless killers and members of organised crime groups with no higher intention than lining their own pockets. The use of their previous political defence is seen for what it is - the big lie. Know freedom-fighters, the world over, for what they really are.

This song was inspired by the awful Omagh bombing atrocity which took place in the town of Omagh, Co Tyrone, Ireland on Saturday 15th of August 1998, when an IRA terrorist parked a car, which was packed with explosives, in the busy main street. When it exploded it killed 29 people and also killed unborn twins. It maimed others. It destroyed so many many lives. It put Omagh at the centre of the map of mindless hate-filled savage brutality.

I am sure that these killers can justify their actions - just as the Nazis could justify their savage actions in the concentration camps.

I wrote the chord sequence, as a kind of emotional outlet, on the day of the Omagh bombing - it had saddened me so much - but I never got around to writing any words till March 2002 when there were reports in the media on the lack of progress in the investigation which had never been able to find, or charge, the culprits up to that time.

There are 2 versions of this song on CD#1 'On A Saturday' - a 'produced' version with orchestral accompaniment, track 10, and a simple acoustic version, track 14. I don't know which one I prefer - each has its own special mood. Track 14 could be considered to be the original version.