Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aiden was among those killed in the bomb, described the crowds which attended as a “powerful testimony to community spirit and cohesion 25 years after our small town was ripped apart”.
The Northern Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, said that “while responsibility for this appalling crime lies with the murderers and those that assisted them, it is important that all lessons are learned and that confidence in this is given to the families of those affected, and to wider society”.Both the Irish and British governments issued statements to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity, expressing their sympathies with the victims, their families and all those affected by the bombing.
“As has been done in relation to a number of historical inquiries, this State will co-operate fully.”