BALI BOMBINGS: last chapter, book closed

Updated November 2 2012 - 10:48am, first published November 7 2008 - 1:04pm

BALLARAT man David Ure likens the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings to a never-ending story.Mr Ure and his then fiance, Jessica O'Grady, were on the dancefloor of the Sari Club on October 12, 2002, when the bomb exploded just 15m away from them.The explosion - and the one just prior to it at nearby Paddy's Bar - killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.Mr Ure and Ms O'Grady - who had been in Bali for just 22 hours on their first overseas holiday- escaped with minor injuries."I still remember everything like it was yesterday," Mr Ure, 28, said."The things I saw you probably can't print in a newspaper.But for Mr Ure, the final chapter in this life-changing story will come to a close in the coming days when the three men behind the bombings are executed."There have been different chapters to this story along the way, like the court trial (which Mr Ure attended) and the first anniversary," the real estate agent said."But I'm finally about to reach the end of this book and close it for good.""You don't usually celebrate someone dying but I'll certainly be popping a bottle of something."Mr Ure said it was "about time" the executions were carried out."It's been over five years since the trial so it will be good to see justice done. I would have liked to be there for it (the execution) but it's still a bit risky."If there is one thing Mr Ure has learnt from the experience it is to "go out there and enjoy life".He went backpacking across 43 countries for 12 months in 2006 and also returned to Bali for the holiday he never had."Basically, I'm not going to let them win," he said.

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