A BABY born to a young woman injured in the Omagh bombing last night became a symbol of hope for the grieving people of Northern Ireland.
News of the birth of the 7lb 6oz baby girl, described as a ray of light in the darkness by doctors at the South Tyrone Hospital came as it was confirmed that the Queen will lead mourners at a formal service in memory of the victims.
The baby's mother, Nicola Emery, 21, who narrowly escaped death in the explosion, said: ''I hope she can grow up and there will be no violence or terrorism. I just want her to be safe.''
The child was born as Ireland, north and south, prepared to fall silent at 3.10pm today to remember the 28 people killed in the blast last Saturday.
Prayers will be said and a minute's silence observed in cities, towns and villages.
Irish premier Bertie Ahern and the Republic's President Mary McAleese will join Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon at the main ceremony in Omagh.
Details about the formal service to be attended by the Queen, including the date, have still to be finalised, Downing Street said. The Duke of Edinburgh and Tony Blair will also attend.
After a week of trauma and grief, the birth of the baby girl was the first glimmer of hope.
Cradling the baby in hospital in Dungannon, Miss Emery said she had been terrified she would lose her baby.
Miss Emery, a Protestant and her partner Michael Mulholland, 17, a Catholic, had been out shopping when the bomb went off.
Mr Mulholland said he hoped his child would grow up in a different world.
Meanwhile, Bernadette Sands-McKevitt, the partner of reputed Real IRA chief Michael McKevitt, was escorted from her premises in a shopping centre at Dundalk, in the Irish Republic, yesterday by security guards.
It was understood that Ms Sands-McKevitt arrived at her shop yesterday morning to find the locks had been changed.
The move followed pressure from other traders for her to pull out.
Business at the complex was reported to have slumped since the link between the McKevitts and the bombing was alleged this week.
Nicola Emery and Michael Mulholland, who were both injured in the Omagh bombing, show off their baby girl who was born on Thursday night. Picture: Crispin Rodwell/Reuter
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