Anger at replacement of tribute to Enniskillen bombing victims
The replacement of a photographic tribute to the 11 victims of the IRA’s Enniskillen Remembrance Sunday bombing in the town’s fire station provoked fury today.
The original was removed from the fire station months ago, 20 years after the bombing following an objection by a member of staff.
A simple framed black and white photograph of firefighters at the Cenotaph scene of the bombing has replaced the earlier tribute – a montage of pictures of the victims around the scene of the explosion.
Not even the names of the victims remain on the new tribute.
The replacement has been put up in the station in the Co Fermanagh town after Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) efforts to resolve the in-station dispute failed.
The issue infuriated unionist politicians and disappointed the Northern Ireland Chief Fire Officer, Colin Lammey, who made the decision to put up a replacement picture.
Democratic Unionist Party peer Lord Morrow accused the fire chief of a farcical action to appease a minority.
He said: “Once again the lonely voice who disagrees is heard above all others, and all the rest are silenced.
“This was nothing more than yet another attempt to wipe out the unpleasant parts of Northern Ireland history, to appease those who refuse to accept otherwise.”
Mr Lammey said today that following the complaint by a member of staff months ago the original framed print had been removed from the fire station wall “in order to maintain an inclusive working environment” for all firefighters and those who visited.
“NIFRS has worked hard to try and agree a local resolution which would maintain a good and harmonious working environment, whilst also importantly commemorating the significance of the Enniskillen bombing.
“Our efforts to resolve the issue locally however have been unsuccessful.
“Following a number of meetings between senior management and the firefighters in Enniskillen to resolve the issue, following clear guidance given by NIFRS management in relation to an acceptable solution, it is disappointing that an agreement could not be reached locally.”
He said he had therefore taken the decision to display an alternative photographic tribute, which was now on the station wall.
Mr Lammey said it acknowledged the work of the town’s firefighters and those from neighbouring station and paid remembrance to those killed and injured.
The DUP's Maurice Morrow, a Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, demanded to know what could cause offence with the original picture.
He added: “I would venture to suggest any such discussion to remove photography or tributes from Fire States in the aftermath of the New York 9/11 terrorist attack would be hastily dismissed as outrageous.”
Tom Elliott, the Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, was equally angered by the decision and worried about reaction of the relatives of those who died.
"I have a concern about what the victims will think about this – it is a slap in the face to the relatives of those who died in the bombing,” he said.
“I don’t see what the harm was in the other picture, in fact I had been led to believe there was an agreement made with the firefighters to put the original picture back up – this has come as a surprise.”
