12-YEAR-OLD BOY'S DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE
12-year-old boy's dreams for the future
By Enda McClafferty
For the Future
For the future I want to be a lawyer because my dad is one and he had to work very harde to be a lawyer. He came top of the class in every subject except German he came second.
When I become into 3 year I will pick a coarse for a lawyer to be like my dad and when he steps down I will step up.
I will live in my dads house and dad can move over to Ireland to have a rest and I will work the same amount of hours as my dad did.
I will study for a coarse from third year till upper 6 then my dad will teach me till i'm ready to take over the Joint."
James Barker
THE heartbroken family of 12-year-old James Barker today told how the youngster hoped to be a lawyer when he grew up and had penned an essay about his dream.
Today his dreams were buried with him in Buncrana along with his friends Oran Doherty and Sean McLaughlin.
James' mother Donna Maria discovered the piece among his books and papers. She approached the Belfast Telegraph saying the family wanted to publish his essay which show the potential which was lost.
Mrs Barker said: "This was my boy and not the little boy whom everybody saw wrapped in bandages lying on a stretcher. This is what we have lost."
And James' teacher today paid tribute to the "smiling angel" who died in the Omagh bomb.
James was "always smiling, always happy" according to Foyle Prep School headmistress Elaine Marshall.
The 12-year-old had only recently moved to Donegal from England with his family to "start a new life".
But Saturday saw that life brutally cut short, as pictures of his unconscious and bandaged body were beamed out around the world.
"He came into the school this time last year and made friends immediately," said Ms Marshall.
"The smile you can see in the photos was just typical of him - he was always smiling and happy.
"I want to acknowledge how much we loved him and what an impact he had on the school with his lovely little personality."
The talented schoolboy was due to begin boarding at a Belfast prep school in just a few weeks.
But now his mother Donna Marie and father Victor, an English-born solicitor, will never see their son fulfil his ambitions.
James was particularly gifted at sport and athletics, his former teacher said.
"He was a goalkeeper for the school football team and member of the cub scout pack.
"He was also a very good singer and had great communication skills - he enjoyed debating."
The children and staff at Foyle Prep were "distraught" but were trying to be strong for his funeral today, she added.
By Enda McClafferty
For the Future
For the future I want to be a lawyer because my dad is one and he had to work very harde to be a lawyer. He came top of the class in every subject except German he came second.
When I become into 3 year I will pick a coarse for a lawyer to be like my dad and when he steps down I will step up.
I will live in my dads house and dad can move over to Ireland to have a rest and I will work the same amount of hours as my dad did.
I will study for a coarse from third year till upper 6 then my dad will teach me till i'm ready to take over the Joint."
James Barker
THE heartbroken family of 12-year-old James Barker today told how the youngster hoped to be a lawyer when he grew up and had penned an essay about his dream.
Today his dreams were buried with him in Buncrana along with his friends Oran Doherty and Sean McLaughlin.
James' mother Donna Maria discovered the piece among his books and papers. She approached the Belfast Telegraph saying the family wanted to publish his essay which show the potential which was lost.
Mrs Barker said: "This was my boy and not the little boy whom everybody saw wrapped in bandages lying on a stretcher. This is what we have lost."
And James' teacher today paid tribute to the "smiling angel" who died in the Omagh bomb.
James was "always smiling, always happy" according to Foyle Prep School headmistress Elaine Marshall.
The 12-year-old had only recently moved to Donegal from England with his family to "start a new life".
But Saturday saw that life brutally cut short, as pictures of his unconscious and bandaged body were beamed out around the world.
"He came into the school this time last year and made friends immediately," said Ms Marshall.
"The smile you can see in the photos was just typical of him - he was always smiling and happy.
"I want to acknowledge how much we loved him and what an impact he had on the school with his lovely little personality."
The talented schoolboy was due to begin boarding at a Belfast prep school in just a few weeks.
But now his mother Donna Marie and father Victor, an English-born solicitor, will never see their son fulfil his ambitions.
James was particularly gifted at sport and athletics, his former teacher said.
"He was a goalkeeper for the school football team and member of the cub scout pack.
"He was also a very good singer and had great communication skills - he enjoyed debating."
The children and staff at Foyle Prep were "distraught" but were trying to be strong for his funeral today, she added.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0081
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.