The daughter of a husband and wife killed at the 1987 Enniskillen bombing has spoken of how pleased both she and the families of the victims were able to meet with the Secretary of State.

Margaret Veitch – whose parents, William and Agnes Mullan, were two of the 12 people who died – stated that this was a productive move after the families felt they had been “ignored” by previous Northern Ireland Office Ministers.

Prior to last Sunday’s Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph in Belmore Street, the families of those killed on that day 37 years ago held a 45-minute meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn.

Although what was discussed was not revealed, Mrs. Veitch insisted this was a major step for both the families and the UK Government.

“We were very pleased that the Secretary of State came and visited us,” she said.

“This is the first time that a Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met the victims of Enniskillen.

“We have been ignored for a long time and I actually feel that at times, we must have been an embarrassment.”

Mrs. Veitch reflected on when the memorial at the Clinton Centre – the site of the 1987 bombing – was finally installed as an example of the UK Government ignoring the victims’ families, claiming that then Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, snubbed them.

She continued: “One of the most important times was when we had the [Poppy Day Bombing] memorial up – 35 years it took us to get that memorial up.

“However, Chris Heaton-Harris – who was the Secretary of State then – just ignored us and walked past.

“Now he probably wasn’t invited to speak to us, but we felt it like an insult that the authorities couldn’t arrange to meet up with the victims.

“Why come to Enniskillen? It’s because of the Enniskillen bomb that these people come.”

The families of the victims had held their own service at the official Enniskillen bombing memorial two days before Remembrance Day.

However, this was marred when the occupants of a passing car shouted a sectarian slogan at the families.

Mrs. Veitch added: “Unfortunately, somebody had to go past and shout, ‘Up the Ra’.

“I would love those who did that to really think of the horror that happened to our families – 12 people were murdered that day. A no-warning bomb, which was pre-meditated murder.

“Yet somebody would actually like to think that it’s okay to shout, ‘Up the Ra’.

“In other words, you’re glorifying terrorists, which is so hurtful to us.”

Kenny Donaldson, of victims support group, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), also added his welcome to Secretary of State Hilary Benn meeting with the families.

He said: “The service was very poignant, as it always is at this particular site – the Enniskillen bombing memorial – and standing with the families.

“They had occasion as well to meet directly with the Secretary of State. They had 45 minutes with him, which was very much welcomed by them.

“He gave them that acknowledgement and we hope that it’s the first of many engagements with him.”

Mr. Donaldson added that he was heartened by the high amount of people who came to the service – especially children who, when he has given talks about Poppy Day at schools, have impressed him with their historical knowledge.

“In terms of the war dead,” he continued, “it is encouraging to see the high level of turnout, especially the younger generation, as it’s important not to forget why so many men from here went away to fight in the two World Wars.

“Last week, I was at two primary schools in Lisnaskea to have a session on Remembrance Day to look back on the First World War, and why it is we pay our respects to those men today.

“And I have to say, I was really encouraged by those young people – not only with their level of engagement, but also their knowledge.

“They knew where the poppy came from, and knew of the misrepresentations that are given of the poppy by all sections of our community at times.”

With a general election having been called in the Republic last week, Taoiseach Simon Harris, was not able to attend the service.

Instead, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys laid a wreath at Enniskillen’s Cenotaph in his place.

However, Mr. Donaldson insisted that this was not an issue. He said: “I think a lot of focus goes on which diplomats are present, but my point has always been that anyone at any point in time is welcome to attend Remembrance Sunday – they don’t need an invitation.

“If it’s in your heart and it’s something that you’re motivated to do, you would be most welcome.

“People will see that and that will have much more of an effect. Heather Humphreys was very welcome to do so.

“When the First World War was fought, there wasn’t Partition, so we do have a shared history.

“I would argue that that shared history goes right across these islands, as we’re totally inter-connected with one another. Each and every one of us has clothes on each side of the line.

“Even though Heather is retiring after the Republic’s general election, she has been a good friend to us,” added Mr. Donaldson.