Secretary of State makes visits to Tyrone and Fermanagh

James Brokenshire paid visits to Omagh and parts of Fermanagh as part of a month-long round of engagements.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire MP met with victims groups, local political representatives and farmers as he made a flying visit of Tyrone and Fermanagh.

His first stop was to Omagh and to the town's Memorial Garden dedicated to the victim's of Northern Ireland's worst atrocity, the Omagh Bombing - which last week hosted it's eighteenth annual memorial service - a fact not lost on the visiting member for Old Bexley & Sidcup.

SofS @JBrokenshire visited the Memorial Garden, Omagh & met relatives of those killed in NI's worst bomb atrocity. pic.twitter.com/mincK6wdff

— NIO (@NIOPressOffice) August 23, 2016 

He also met with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council representatives chairperson councillor Mary Garrity (SDLP) and vice-chairperson councillor Bert Wilson (UUP).  Also in attendance was Stanley McCombe, who's wife Ann was killed in the 1998 attack. 

Cllr. Wilson described the meeting as "productive" saying the new minister was very "attentive" to the local issues raised by both himself and others. The veteran Ulster Unionist councilman said it was important to impress upon the Secretary of State the importance of bringing some sort of closure on the issue of the past.

"We told him we wanted to bring closure not only for the victims of the bomb but to everyone who had suffered," he said.

Issues such as investment, infrastructure, Brexit and broadband provision were also raised during the meeting.

Onwards next, and to Fermanagh where the nascent incumbent of Hillsborough Castle met with Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott (UUP) as well as representatives from the local farming community.

Mtgs with Tom Elliott MP & reps of Co Fermanagh local business & farming community was next for SofS @JBrokenshire pic.twitter.com/NM1SkN6fvI

— NIO (@NIOPressOffice) August 23, 2016

His final meeting of the day was with another local victims organisation, the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF).

The group had recently come into the spotlight over its opposition to the screening of a new documentary centering on the life of hunger-striker Bobby Sands. 

SEFF aired it's own counter-documentary in protest at the contents of the film due to a lack of consideration for victims of terrorist groups.

Final meeting of the day for SofS @JBrokenshire was with reps & victims from South East Fermanagh Foundation pic.twitter.com/62SwBUOs4O

— NIO (@NIOPressOffice) August 23, 2016