TEARS ON CLINTON'S SADDEST JOURNEY
Tears on Clintons' saddest journey
By William Allen
IT was a bittersweet day for the people of Omagh. Sweet because the President was coming to town, bitter because of the reason he was coming.
Yesterday, 1,500 people milled about in a specially cordoned off section of Market Street awaiting the arrival of two world leaders.
But each and every one was aware that this once-in-a-lifetime event was happening only because 28 people had died on that same street.
In other circumstances, they and the other 12,000 people around the town centre would have repeated the incredible Northern Ireland welcome that moved the Clintons so deeply on their previous visit to the province.
But here, in a crippled town where people and buildings had been destroyed in one moment of unspeakable evil, wild scenes of jubilation were unthinkable.
It was, therefore, a strange, sombre exhilaration that enveloped the crowds awaiting the arrival of the Blairs and the Clintons.
Many of them saw first hand the horror of the terrible episode in Omagh's history that tore the heart out of the town and left scars that may never heal.
The 1,500 special places in Market Street were not allocated on a first come first served basis - most were selected for the part they played in making sure Omagh's toll of death and despair was not even higher.
The green and white Celtic colours worn by Sean O'Connor were easily picked out in the crowd, just as they were on that day when, thanks to an amateur cameraman at the scene, television viewers throughout the world saw him helping stunned and injured people to their feet.
Medical staff from the local hospital were there, as were members of the local Fire Brigade looking resplendent in their dress uniforms.
RUC officers of all ranks were also among the crowds waiting to be introduce to the VIPs, as were volunteers of the Order of Malta and St John Ambulance.
So, to, too were bus drivers enlisted to ferry the walking wounded to hospital while the ambulances took care of those whose horrific injuries needed more urgent attention.
As the heat of the day was exacerbated by the heat generated by a tightly packed crowd and the long wait, it was convenient that medical aid was on hand.
A small number of people needed attention. One young man fainted outside the Royal Arms hotel.
And an elderly nun had to be helped to safety when she was caught against a crowd control barrier as the crowd heaved forward.
Generally, however, the orderly crowd waited patiently and quietly. They did surge forward again around 3pm when a huge cheer went up but found only popular entertainer, Rock Stewart waving at them from the other side of the security barriers.
Then at long last, around 3.30pm, the buzz of a fleet of helicopters announced that the moment was approaching.
The Blairs and Clintons met relatives of the deceased at Omagh leisure centre and the emotion was still etched on their faces as they arrived in the town centre just over an hour later.
It was most noticeably there on the tearful face of Bill Clinton as he unveiled a plaque to honour the dead. But it was there too on the faces of Hillary Clinton and the Blairs as the beaming smiles of celebrities among fans were replaced by a more solemn spread of the lips. Huge applause erupted as Mo Mowlam and George Mitchell walked down the middle of the street. And hands reached out for Hillary Clinton as she greeted the crowd some 50 yards in front of her husband.
The First Lady was followed by Tony and Cherie Blair and then by the President, as they walked from the area where 28 people died and retraced their last footsteps in the reverse direction.
As they walked, they passed a row of shops bearing a stark poster that said: 'Murder - Omagh Saturday 15 August 1998.'
"Thank you for all you've done for this town ," shouted Catholic Parish Priest Michael Keaveny as he grabbed Tony Blair's hand. He later expressed similar gratitude to the President.
A bystander complimented him on his bronze appearance and referring to the weather, Tony Blair made an apparently unconscious reference to a television ad for peace , remarking "Why can't it be like this all the time. "
He then spotted local MP William Thompson and, shaking his hand warmly, said, "Make sure you say hello to the President."
Mr Thompson made sure.
Fr Eugene Hasson who was also introduced described the visit as "marvellous." But, while he believed it would boost morale, he was not sure about claims that such visits helped the healing process. As hospital chaplain, he witnessed many of the terrible mutilations inflicted by the bombing. "I am still working with the bereaved," he said. "The town is in shock and this visit seems very unreal."
Bill Clinton was especially popular with the younger elements of the crowd.
Shannon Flood (11), and cousins Louise (15) and Carissa (12) Sammons were extremely excited when he shook their hands.
"We love Bill," gushed Shannon. "He's so powerful and popular and we think he's lovely looking."
People too far away to take good snapshots enlisted the help of an obliging police constable, who took numerous photographs through various cameras from his excellent vantage point.
In a special area were pupils of local schools joined by young people from Buncrana which lost three sons and two of their Spanish friends in the atrocity.
The last time a number of the Buncrana girls were in Omagh, they spent two hours lying on the ground, passing around a St Bridget's Cross and praying, as all around them lay death and destruction.
The Blairs and Clintons made a point of spending time with all the pupils.
Cherie Blair and Hillary Clinton then laid wreaths outside Wattersons shop, which lost three members of staff in the atrocity, before the group disappeared into the presidential limousine at 6.30pm.
On a day when even statesmen seemed lost for words, there were no messages on the sprays they left behind. But then, as Bill Clinton said, there are no words that can make things easier for the people of Omagh.
By William Allen
IT was a bittersweet day for the people of Omagh. Sweet because the President was coming to town, bitter because of the reason he was coming.
Yesterday, 1,500 people milled about in a specially cordoned off section of Market Street awaiting the arrival of two world leaders.
But each and every one was aware that this once-in-a-lifetime event was happening only because 28 people had died on that same street.
In other circumstances, they and the other 12,000 people around the town centre would have repeated the incredible Northern Ireland welcome that moved the Clintons so deeply on their previous visit to the province.
But here, in a crippled town where people and buildings had been destroyed in one moment of unspeakable evil, wild scenes of jubilation were unthinkable.
It was, therefore, a strange, sombre exhilaration that enveloped the crowds awaiting the arrival of the Blairs and the Clintons.
Many of them saw first hand the horror of the terrible episode in Omagh's history that tore the heart out of the town and left scars that may never heal.
The 1,500 special places in Market Street were not allocated on a first come first served basis - most were selected for the part they played in making sure Omagh's toll of death and despair was not even higher.
The green and white Celtic colours worn by Sean O'Connor were easily picked out in the crowd, just as they were on that day when, thanks to an amateur cameraman at the scene, television viewers throughout the world saw him helping stunned and injured people to their feet.
Medical staff from the local hospital were there, as were members of the local Fire Brigade looking resplendent in their dress uniforms.
RUC officers of all ranks were also among the crowds waiting to be introduce to the VIPs, as were volunteers of the Order of Malta and St John Ambulance.
So, to, too were bus drivers enlisted to ferry the walking wounded to hospital while the ambulances took care of those whose horrific injuries needed more urgent attention.
As the heat of the day was exacerbated by the heat generated by a tightly packed crowd and the long wait, it was convenient that medical aid was on hand.
A small number of people needed attention. One young man fainted outside the Royal Arms hotel.
And an elderly nun had to be helped to safety when she was caught against a crowd control barrier as the crowd heaved forward.
Generally, however, the orderly crowd waited patiently and quietly. They did surge forward again around 3pm when a huge cheer went up but found only popular entertainer, Rock Stewart waving at them from the other side of the security barriers.
Then at long last, around 3.30pm, the buzz of a fleet of helicopters announced that the moment was approaching.
The Blairs and Clintons met relatives of the deceased at Omagh leisure centre and the emotion was still etched on their faces as they arrived in the town centre just over an hour later.
It was most noticeably there on the tearful face of Bill Clinton as he unveiled a plaque to honour the dead. But it was there too on the faces of Hillary Clinton and the Blairs as the beaming smiles of celebrities among fans were replaced by a more solemn spread of the lips. Huge applause erupted as Mo Mowlam and George Mitchell walked down the middle of the street. And hands reached out for Hillary Clinton as she greeted the crowd some 50 yards in front of her husband.
The First Lady was followed by Tony and Cherie Blair and then by the President, as they walked from the area where 28 people died and retraced their last footsteps in the reverse direction.
As they walked, they passed a row of shops bearing a stark poster that said: 'Murder - Omagh Saturday 15 August 1998.'
"Thank you for all you've done for this town ," shouted Catholic Parish Priest Michael Keaveny as he grabbed Tony Blair's hand. He later expressed similar gratitude to the President.
A bystander complimented him on his bronze appearance and referring to the weather, Tony Blair made an apparently unconscious reference to a television ad for peace , remarking "Why can't it be like this all the time. "
He then spotted local MP William Thompson and, shaking his hand warmly, said, "Make sure you say hello to the President."
Mr Thompson made sure.
Fr Eugene Hasson who was also introduced described the visit as "marvellous." But, while he believed it would boost morale, he was not sure about claims that such visits helped the healing process. As hospital chaplain, he witnessed many of the terrible mutilations inflicted by the bombing. "I am still working with the bereaved," he said. "The town is in shock and this visit seems very unreal."
Bill Clinton was especially popular with the younger elements of the crowd.
Shannon Flood (11), and cousins Louise (15) and Carissa (12) Sammons were extremely excited when he shook their hands.
"We love Bill," gushed Shannon. "He's so powerful and popular and we think he's lovely looking."
People too far away to take good snapshots enlisted the help of an obliging police constable, who took numerous photographs through various cameras from his excellent vantage point.
In a special area were pupils of local schools joined by young people from Buncrana which lost three sons and two of their Spanish friends in the atrocity.
The last time a number of the Buncrana girls were in Omagh, they spent two hours lying on the ground, passing around a St Bridget's Cross and praying, as all around them lay death and destruction.
The Blairs and Clintons made a point of spending time with all the pupils.
Cherie Blair and Hillary Clinton then laid wreaths outside Wattersons shop, which lost three members of staff in the atrocity, before the group disappeared into the presidential limousine at 6.30pm.
On a day when even statesmen seemed lost for words, there were no messages on the sprays they left behind. But then, as Bill Clinton said, there are no words that can make things easier for the people of Omagh.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0378
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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