TEARS FROM CARNIVAL CHIEF
Tears from carnival parade chief
By Gary Grattan
VINCENT Brogan couldn't keep back the tears as the enormity of what had happened to his town began to sink in.
Omagh District Council's head of development had organised a week long summer carnival.
Saturday's float parade was to be the climax of a week of festivities in estates throughout the town.
They had gathered at the parade's departure point on the edge of the town when they heard the explosion.
"The bomb went off at 3.10pm, ten minutes after the parade was due to arrive at a park in the town.
"No one really knew what was going on, as phone lines in that area were down.
"I later found out that my next door neighbour's son was injured. Then we heard it was six people, ten people, 12 people.
"I stayed with the group to try to get them sorted, because they were from different parts of the town and they were worried about their families.
"One of the floats with children had not arrived and we were particularly concerned about that."
Mr Brogan said many people with more superficial injuries, such as cuts and bruises, came to the leisure centre where they were treated by staff.
He personally knew people who were among the dead and injured.
"I was born in Omagh but lived and worked in Belfast for many years.
"Belfast had had many bombings, but when I returned here 15 years ago I never ever thought this sort of thing could happen here.
"A lot of people who were shop owners or who worked in shops are either dead or injured.
"Everyone seems to know some family which has been affected.'
By Gary Grattan
VINCENT Brogan couldn't keep back the tears as the enormity of what had happened to his town began to sink in.
Omagh District Council's head of development had organised a week long summer carnival.
Saturday's float parade was to be the climax of a week of festivities in estates throughout the town.
They had gathered at the parade's departure point on the edge of the town when they heard the explosion.
"The bomb went off at 3.10pm, ten minutes after the parade was due to arrive at a park in the town.
"No one really knew what was going on, as phone lines in that area were down.
"I later found out that my next door neighbour's son was injured. Then we heard it was six people, ten people, 12 people.
"I stayed with the group to try to get them sorted, because they were from different parts of the town and they were worried about their families.
"One of the floats with children had not arrived and we were particularly concerned about that."
Mr Brogan said many people with more superficial injuries, such as cuts and bruises, came to the leisure centre where they were treated by staff.
He personally knew people who were among the dead and injured.
"I was born in Omagh but lived and worked in Belfast for many years.
"Belfast had had many bombings, but when I returned here 15 years ago I never ever thought this sort of thing could happen here.
"A lot of people who were shop owners or who worked in shops are either dead or injured.
"Everyone seems to know some family which has been affected.'
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0026
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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