NIO CHIEF TO CO-ORDINATE RESPONSE
NIO Chief to co-ordinate response
By Noel McAdam
A SENIOR civil servant has been appointed to coordinate the response of Government departments to the bomb horror in Omagh.
John McConnell, who has a wide experience across NIO departments, is to make sure the actions are as effective as possible to meet the needs of survivors and families.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam said the wishes of the families would be paramount in arranging any formal memorial service for the victims of the bombing.
"While the Government believes that a formal memorial service for the victims would be appropriate, the timing and form of that ceremony would again depend on the wishes of the families and it is too soon to begin consulting them about that,' she added.
She welcomed the call by Lord Wakeham of the Press Complaints Commission for the media to give the people of Omagh space and privacy to grieve.
The same principle would govern the question of official representation at the funerals of victims, she added.
The first priority will be to respect the wishes of the families and to protect their right to grieve in private. If, however, a family wanted a
representative of the Secretary of State to attend, arrangements had been made through the Churches.
By Noel McAdam
A SENIOR civil servant has been appointed to coordinate the response of Government departments to the bomb horror in Omagh.
John McConnell, who has a wide experience across NIO departments, is to make sure the actions are as effective as possible to meet the needs of survivors and families.
Secretary of State Mo Mowlam said the wishes of the families would be paramount in arranging any formal memorial service for the victims of the bombing.
"While the Government believes that a formal memorial service for the victims would be appropriate, the timing and form of that ceremony would again depend on the wishes of the families and it is too soon to begin consulting them about that,' she added.
She welcomed the call by Lord Wakeham of the Press Complaints Commission for the media to give the people of Omagh space and privacy to grieve.
The same principle would govern the question of official representation at the funerals of victims, she added.
The first priority will be to respect the wishes of the families and to protect their right to grieve in private. If, however, a family wanted a
representative of the Secretary of State to attend, arrangements had been made through the Churches.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0109
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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