JOY ADMIST DESPAIR
Joy admist despair
Newborn baby brings ray of hope
By Gary Grattan
THE proud mother of the baby girl who is a beacon of hope amidst the despair of Omagh told today of how her joy is tinged with sadness.
Nicola Emery (21). who narrowly escaped death in the bomb blast, has given birth to her baby in the South Tyrone Hospital.
But. while she said she was overwhelmed with relief and happiness, she cannot help thinking of Avril Monaghan who died and was expecting twins.
The Monaghan family also lost young baby Maura (18 months) and grandmother Mary Grimes (65) in the massacre.
The as yet unnamed 71b 6oz baby is a ray of hope for Nicola's mother Valerie (41). who is recovering in hospital from serious leg injuries.
Nicola was herself treated in the South Tyrone Hospital for minor injuries.
The young woman from Campsie Crescent in the town, who sustained lacerations to her legs, gave birth around 4pm yesterday.
She said she hoped the baby would give her mother something to look forward to for when she gets out of hospital.
She was enjoying a browse around the shops with her mother when the bomb exploded.
Nicola had crossed the road and avoided the main force of the blast because she was standing behind a wall.
"I was very scared at the time. I thought I was going to lose the baby. But I was also worried about my mum." she said.
Mrs Emery wasn't so fortunate. She suffered cuts and fractures to her feet, although in spite of her injuries she managed to struggle to her feet. A friend then drove her to hospital.
She is now recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Mrs Emery, who knew some of the people killed in the blast, said: '"I don't know how I managed. I don't know how I walked but I managed to get to the car."
She said she had been worried about her daughter but cannot remember much more about her feelings on the day.
I'm in a daze. I can't remember very much but I could see things falling down all around me.
"I managed to get to the car and a friend from work who was there drove me to hospital." she said.
Nicola and her new baby are said to be doing well in the South Tyrone Hospital.
Newborn baby brings ray of hope
By Gary Grattan
THE proud mother of the baby girl who is a beacon of hope amidst the despair of Omagh told today of how her joy is tinged with sadness.
Nicola Emery (21). who narrowly escaped death in the bomb blast, has given birth to her baby in the South Tyrone Hospital.
But. while she said she was overwhelmed with relief and happiness, she cannot help thinking of Avril Monaghan who died and was expecting twins.
The Monaghan family also lost young baby Maura (18 months) and grandmother Mary Grimes (65) in the massacre.
The as yet unnamed 71b 6oz baby is a ray of hope for Nicola's mother Valerie (41). who is recovering in hospital from serious leg injuries.
Nicola was herself treated in the South Tyrone Hospital for minor injuries.
The young woman from Campsie Crescent in the town, who sustained lacerations to her legs, gave birth around 4pm yesterday.
She said she hoped the baby would give her mother something to look forward to for when she gets out of hospital.
She was enjoying a browse around the shops with her mother when the bomb exploded.
Nicola had crossed the road and avoided the main force of the blast because she was standing behind a wall.
"I was very scared at the time. I thought I was going to lose the baby. But I was also worried about my mum." she said.
Mrs Emery wasn't so fortunate. She suffered cuts and fractures to her feet, although in spite of her injuries she managed to struggle to her feet. A friend then drove her to hospital.
She is now recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Mrs Emery, who knew some of the people killed in the blast, said: '"I don't know how I managed. I don't know how I walked but I managed to get to the car."
She said she had been worried about her daughter but cannot remember much more about her feelings on the day.
I'm in a daze. I can't remember very much but I could see things falling down all around me.
"I managed to get to the car and a friend from work who was there drove me to hospital." she said.
Nicola and her new baby are said to be doing well in the South Tyrone Hospital.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0144
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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