I'm a citizen of Singapore. When I received news of this appalling tragedy, I felt an instantaneous overwhelming sensation of grief for the victims especially the children whose lives were so brutally taken away from them. I cannot describe accurately the contempt and repulsion I felt then and still do. I simply feel like crying. I wished I could be there now to render whatsoever help or comfort that can help alleviate the anguish of the victims' families. Childish as this may sound, they are words from the bottom of my heart and of all feeling human beings, I'm sure. It's tragically sad that innocent lives are sacrificed in the name of a so-called quest for freedom. I hope the culprits will be able to sleep well for the rest of their lives! I honestly would like to know how they would feel if their children and loved ones were among the innocent dead, if they do have a conscience. Will they, upon their deathbeds, feel a tinge of remorse for their evil deeds. People of Northern Ireland, I beg you to stand united against such atrocities.

Joshepee Lim

May God help those who in the next few days will bury their children, their partners, their family members. And may He torment those who carried out this atrocity, as they watch the funerals. Perhaps as they watch a child buried and then look at their own as they play they will realise the enormity of their deeds. Perhaps when they next talk to a mother, a father, a brother or a sister they will remember those that they blew to pieces and will never speak again. Perhaps when they see people with limbs removed they will feel remorse as they reflect that they did that to so many people. Perhaps not. One day, they will have to face their actions. And pay for them. I know so many in Northern Ireland who will carry on their work quietly, with courage and grace. They will try to heal those injured in this atrocity and will continue with their lives as normally as they can. May God help them too. We know He will. To all you folks back home, if you are reading this, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Graeme Allen, Malaysia

In January of this year I lost my husband (aged 47) after a cruel, but mercifully short illness. As a family we feel totally lost and without purpose as we try to come to terms with a 'natural' bereavement and rebuild our lives without him. How on earth can the people of Omagh come to terms with what has happened to them? How can they ever be helped to rationalise such a barbaric and needless slaughter? What an utter senseless and pointless waste of life - when life is so precious. But their lives will not have been wasted if it helps to spur on the people of Northern Ireland towards peace What can these people, these 'heros', these so-called 'brave' men who planted this bomb hope to achieve by killing pregnant women, young children and pensioners? (So brave they are!) Theirs are the lives that are pointless and without purpose. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Omagh. God Bless.

Julie Daniel, UK

The majority of people of Northern Ireland have spoken - THEY HAVE VOTED FOR PEACE. The people who perpetrated this atrocity in Northern Ireland are murderers, plain and simple and should be caught, tried and brought to justice. I live in Toronto, Canada and grew up in Northern Ireland -some day I want to return to my beautiful home town of Bangor and this saddens my heart to see this after making such amazing progress in the peace agreement. PLEASE!!! Let the majority democracy rule - not minority terrorism.

Ann Przybyla

Tony Blair has described the people responsible for the horrific attack on Omagh as "psychopaths". Such people are mentally deranged or emotionally unstable. Throughout the past 30 years the terrorists who carried out similar attrocities have been labelled as "psychopaths", yet in two weeks many convicted terrorists will begin the process of early release. What is going on? It will never be safe to walk the streets of Northern Ireland while such killers are free. As Blair said we are dealing with psychopaths.

Mervyn Braiden, County Tyrone, Northen Ireland

Until the British Government grasps the essential truth that the only way to deal with terrorism is to outlaw and defeat it, these horrors will continue. The British Government has taken some of the terrorists within the 'peace process' and so far those terrorists think they are on the way to victory. On the face of it so they are. The Northern Ireland Peace Agreement shows the enormous influence of the US and Brussels on what should be an internal matter. It is a fudge. The British Government is tying its own hands.

Lindsay Jenkins, USA

I am in a pop band based in Southern England, which comprises a mix of Irish and English members. Last night we held a busy pub on the Isle of Wight in silent tears over what happened yesterday. We wrote a song not so long ago aimed at the young of not only Northern Ireland, but also mainland Britain and the Republic, to illustrate our views on the irrelevance of talking about 'sides in the dispute'. Every faction/group/ 'side' has been hurt. Last night, I found our song very difficult to sing. Our chorus goes: "Force us all together or tear us apart / Hands up who's got our best interests at heart / Round one table 55 opposing ideals / Is this the way that gaining peace really feels / Every side's wrapped up with 'know-it-all' parades / See what no concessions did for two decades / The pain of losing face has caused years to go wrong / Please give a little 'cause it's gone on too long."
Please give a little, because it has gone on too long.

Jeremy Millington, UK

I come from Belfast. I moved to Australia 8 years ago. It was a shock to hear what took place in Omagh yesterday. My sympathy goes to all the families who are effected by such a cruel, barbaric slaughter of innocent people. We have all been given the gift of life from God. No man or woman has the right to take it away. Why do people let the evil hate in their hearts take over them, and then justify themselves into doing these things for their own morbid cause? One day they will have to stand before God and give a reason for their actions. Luke 12:4 Jesus said "And I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 "But I will show you whom you should fear; Fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes I say to you fear him! We can't escape God even when its our turn to die. We all have to face Him." Another promise from God is this: Rev 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
One day I believe this promise will come to pass. Who owns any land anyway? We are all just passing through, we all die. Is any country worth killing people for, when we come into the world with nothing and we go out of it with nothing?

Jean Dunning, Australia

I was married in Newcastle Co. Down and I know Co Tyrone and Omagh fine. Today I am re-married and live with my French wife and kids in the small town of Vernon in France. Vernon is in many ways the twin of Omagh except even Normandy and Breton extremists would balk at the mindless brutality of a sunny Saturday afternoon beyond even the ken of a Stephen King novel. I am sorry to be so far away from the friendliest people and most beautiful province in Europe but not sorry to be away from these animals. Mo Mowlam and others should understand that with some people no negotiation no peace is possible and the known perpetrators should be locked up, the keys thrown away and ordinary people allowed to get on with their lives. If Gerry Adams (the war is over when I say it is) is sincere in his condemnation he will provide a list of all bomb caches in all 32 counties in short order otherwise the inevitable outcome is going to be war and mayhem. Today in Europe politicians are letting down ordinary people in Bilbao and San Sebastian, in Kosovo, in Corsica, in Omagh - because they are so spineless in the face of terrorism. The only thing they seem able to get tough with are unpaid parking tickets. It is high time they considered the people they pretend to govern and the principles they say they stand for.

Howard Wortley, France

I am very sorry about all the poor people and families who were injured by the bomb. I reckon that the person who planted the bomb should be killed for ruining a lot of people's lives. I will give everyone my sympathy and thought to them and their familes. Thinking of all.

Christian Waters, Wales

These acts of violence make less and less sense as time goes on. It's the same baffled feeling that one gets when trying to fathom the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust. How can the perpetrators be human? How can they hope to achieve anything except disgust for them, of whatever persuasion? These are illegal acts of war, and should probably be dealt with by a higher court than the local judiciary, with appropriate powers. When the question makes no sense, who can know the answer?

Martin Pyke, New Zealand

I've just read the report of this terrible event and I can hardly believe the words. Surely this is not the work of human beings. Surely those who support the withdrawal of the Brits from Northern Ireland cannot condone this murder of innocents. The only incident that horrifies me more is the tragedy of Enniskillen. I thought we'd got past this sort of slaughter. Sitting here on the other side of the world in New Zealand (my adopted country - I'm English), I can only try to imagine what it's like for those who are closer to the devastation and extend my heartfelt sympathy to all those people who have lost loved ones and friends and express my deepest sorrow that a small, mean-hearted group of terrorists have seen fit to try and destroy what so many have worked so hard to achieve. Those involved in the process of hope for Northern Ireland must never ever give up the fight for peace. They must stay strong in their belief that the Irish can reach that goal despite the efforts of those who would seek to perpetuate the bleeding of their own nation.

Sandra, New Zealand

I'm simply horrified and grief stricken by the heartless killing on so many of my fellow countrywomen/men. The perpetrators are caught in an ideological nightmare that is psychotic. God protect us from the spread of such madness. It is truely heartbreaking.

Patrick Tummon, Cape Town

As a minister of the gospel living near to Omagh I would like all to take note that the words of condemnation that are now being uttered against the perpetrators of the bombing in Omagh were uttered before against the terrorists who are presently being released under the terms of the "Peace Agreement." Had this bombing taken place two years ago, the bombers would be due for release under the "Agreement" the people of Ulster were fooled into accepting. Appeasement of evil men is not and cannot be the way forward.

Rev. Ivan Foster, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland

I am not a religious person, but if there is a God, then I pray to him to bring those responsible for this root evil act to justice, and to help keep the peace process going.

James Duncan, Scotland

I was born and brought up in Omagh until I got married in 1968. I have not been able to sleep thinking about the nightmare my home town suffered yesterday. I am in Nashville USA wondering if there are probably lots of families I will know who have suffered this unbelievable planned savage attack on a town of hard working, very nice people. WHY? Whoever did this just simply enjoys killing. They are the scum of the earth and should not be allowed to exist. My prayers and thoughts are with the Omagh people. My sadness will not go away. I am in deep shock.

Katherine McSorley, USA

The predictability of continued violence by the fringe groups who are dissatisfied with the peace process does not in any way diminish the sickening heartbreak felt by the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic. It will take great strength, and courage, to refrain from taking the route of murderous retaliation, but strength and courage must be in abundance now so that the peace process can go forward and the good people of Northern Ireland prevail.

Martha Donovan, USA

It is now abundantly clear that those 'people' responsible for this attack stand for nothing but murder for murder's sake. What is the point of a peace process that is only pertinent to those who wish to take part - those already at peace with each other? It is an astonishing scam when one terrorist group claims to be part of the peace process but their members are carrying on their diobolical genocide under a different name. The division has moved, with the murderers now indiscriminately killing both Protestants and Catholics. The people (Catholics, Protestants, Governments) should now unite in a common cause and rid the world of the scum. There is no peace process for there is no war. There is only the struggle against criminals, murder and terrorism.

Philip Symons, UK

This carnage is not the work of people representing a true cause. It is pure mindless evil that people here in Southern Ireland cannot comprehend or condone. I am utterly appalled at the loss of life and the terrible injuries that the ordinary people of Omagh have sustained. It makes me sick to think that any person responsible for this act of barbarism could say that they are representing ANY wish on behalf of the Irish people. My sincere condolences go out to the families who have lost relatives and those whose wives children and husbands will not be coming home. I also wish speedy recoveries to those who are injured. I know that all here around me are stunned at the terrible and futile loss of life. It begs the question will there ever be peace on this island? As an ordinary Irish person, I feel that until political leaders face up to the fact that they have in fact caused all this unhappiness and need to rectify it, there will never be peace for the ordinary people both North and South. Let's stop this carnage now - it serves no purpose! Innocent people are being killed and maimed for no reason. It is totally mindless!

Kieran Conlon, Kildare, Ireland

My heart is breaking at the thought of the the families torn apart by this horrendous massacre. I hope and pray that the people of Ireland, both north and south of the border will never again have to endure the suffering that these acts bring. I pray that the the peace process will continue, so that all those who have suffered will have hope for the future of their families. Too many people have died or been maimed. The Irish people have a reputation for loving children, for the love of the children, this madness must stop.

Mrs H. Jodelka, UK

The troubles of Northern Ireland concern me so much and the narrow mindness of the terroirsts with such sickness, angers me. I can't help but feel sadness for the families of the dead in Omagh.

Jonathon Loch, Canada

I was a soldier in N. Ireland in the seventies and witnessed many foul and bloody deeds in the name of Republicanism and Nationalism. It breaks my heart that after all this time, there are people who believe that they can force others to conform to their minority wishes by killing them. It hasn't worked in 30 years and it does not take the brains of a thermo-nuclear scientist to see that it isn't going to work now. I lived in Omagh for two years. It is a beautiful place with wonderful people living there and I cannot express my sorrow for this outrage. Finally, let me say this. IF THE NEGOTIATORS ALLOW THIS BOMBING TO STOP THE PEACE PROCESS - THEN THE BOMBERS HAVE WON.

Bob Barrow, Greece

I am sickened and appalled by this latest atrocity in the tragic history of conflict in Northern Ireland. I wish that I could believe that this was the final desperate act of a few madmen before they are swamped and rendered obsolete by a tide of public desire for healing. I will certainly pray that this is the case and that peace will prevail.

Chris Benton, Australia

I see from the news section of eye-witness reactions that there has been a call for the perpetrators to receive the death penalty. My first reaction of anger is the same. But part of me whispers, 'this makes you no better than them'. Surely those who supported violence in the past, who know where the guns and bombs are buried, will now come forward to hand over weapons to ensure this cannot continue to happen. So stunned and saddened. There will be special prayers in our church today.

Rev Alan J Burgess, UK

The bombing in Omagh has shown just how destabilising hoards of guns and explosives are to any quest for peace. If words mean anything then now is the time for the IRA to put words into deeds. Let them say unequivocally that the terrorist war is over. Let them turn in their arms, so that no more fully armed splinter groups can form, and let them co-operate fully with the police to bring these murders to book. Anything less will show us what Jerry Adams words really mean.

Peter Cook, UK

My ancestors were all Irish; I have an Irish name; I have friends and relatives in Ireland. I am sad, but what is worse, I am ashamed that there are still in Ireland, one of the treasure-houses of goodness and culture, people who believe that violence is the proper way to achieve anything. For what they are worth, all the people of Ireland have my tears, and my prayers.

Tom Donnellan, Sydney, Australia

These are no longer political acts.They are simply acts of murder and the culprits should be dealt with accordingly. The people of Northern Ireland, and only them, can resolve this issue by clearly saying enough is enough.

Burns, Germany

With such an emphatic statement from Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness it should be their sole responsiblity to bring the assassins that carried out this inhumane act to book. Thereby sending a twofold message: 1)Mr Adams and Mr McGuinness' commitment to the Good Friday agreement 2)These Sinn Fien people can police their own.

John Nicholls, UK