Omagh Bombing Survivor Testifies at Inquiry, Remembers Niece's Tragic Death

Garry McGillion recounts harrowing details of the 1998 bombing and its lasting impact on his life.

Garry McGillion, a survivor of the Omagh bombing, has provided a poignant account of the events surrounding the tragic attack that occurred in August 1998, resulting in the death of his 20-month-old niece, Breda Devine.

McGillion, who sustained severe injuries in the blast, testified at the ongoing Omagh Bombing Inquiry about the impact of that day, which took place just one week before he was scheduled to marry.

On the day of the bombing, McGillion had traveled to the Co Tyrone town of Omagh with his fiancée, Donna-Marie, his sister Tracey, and his niece Breda, who was to serve as a flower girl at their wedding.

During his testimony, he described a festive atmosphere in the town center, noting that they had come to purchase shoes for Breda ahead of the wedding.

McGillion recounted how a bomb alert prompted the group to move to a lower part of the town.

He recalled navigating through the crowd when the bomb exploded, describing it as a sensation akin to a massive electric shock.

He experienced a cacophony of sounds following the explosion, including alarms and cries from children and parents searching for each other.

He explained, "When it happened and I got myself back onto my feet it was as if somebody was turning the radio up.

It started with nothing and then it went to a dull sound and then it went to full blast."

In the chaotic aftermath, McGillion found himself engulfed in darkness and dust, and he soon realized he had serious injuries, with parts of his body on fire.

He focused on finding his loved ones, specifically looking for his fiancée and Breda.

McGillion helped his partner, who was trapped under a shop sign, and eventually located Breda still in her pram, albeit in critical condition.

"Breda was still breathing, I felt her heartbeat but I knew that she needed urgent help," he testified.

McGillion handed the child to a traffic warden for medical assistance before attempting to return to the scene.

"This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life," he stated.

Following the bombing, McGillion was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he was treated for third-degree burns covering more than a third of his body as well as injuries to his head.

He noted the intense physical pain he experienced but indicated that the emotional toll of learning about Breda's death was even more profound.

"It was like somebody had ripped part of my heart out and that part is still missing today," he said, reflecting on the lingering guilt he harbors over not being able to protect her.

Despite the tragedy, McGillion and Donna-Marie eventually married in March 1999. He concluded his testimony by expressing a belief that while the bombing altered his life irrevocably, it has also made him a stronger individual.

The inquiry has been instrumental in providing a platform for the voices of those affected by the Omagh bombing, allowing survivors to share their stories and seek answers about the events of that day.