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Mowlam looks to future for Omagh
Waterfront concert raises £16,000
By Janet Devlin

SECRETARY of State Mo Mowlam was expected in Omagh this afternoon to kick-start the regeneration of the town.
Dr Mowlam was expected to meet councillors and other local leaders to discuss how to get the shattered community up and running again.
Meanwhile, it emerged today that a star-studded Waterfront Hall concert for the victims of the Omagh atrocity has raised around £16,000.
Thousands of people from all over the province crowded into the Belfast venue for a poignant musical benefit for the victims and their families.
Among the audience at the emotion-packed event were the bereaved, as well as representatives of the emergency and medical services.
Topping the bill was Brian Kennedy and Mary Black. Omagh singer Dominic Kirwan, the Sands family and the Ulster Orchestra also performed.
Bangor housewife Judith Thurley, who set up the concert within days of the blast, said: "I just felt a really, really strong urge, a drive I think I've never felt before, to do something."
She added: "There is a lot of hope we have not been broken and that the human spirit prevails and survives."
Mary Black said she felt very helpless at the time of the blast.
"When they called me I felt that it would be wonderful to be part of something, however small, if it is any help in any way to the victims or the people who have been left behind."
Belfast pop singer Brian Kennedy said it was a wonderful experience for so many performers from different musical contexts to come together.
Dominic Kirwan, who sang The Town I Love So Well with special feeling, said he had known people who lost their lives and had visited the injured and maimed.
"I"ve seen the heart of the town pulled away." he said. "I just hope it won't take too long to get it back on its feet and start working for a
future.
The Omagh Memorial Fund, which has set a target of £5m, is to receive a boost from a charity film premiere in Belfast next week.
A special preview screening of Disney's latest release, "Mulan", is taking place at Virgin Cinema in Belfast on Tuesday, October 13 (6.30pm) to coincide with the launch of this year's Cinemagic festival programme.
Tickets are priced at £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for children - and all proceeds will go the Omagh fund.
As places are limited tickets must be reserved in advance by contacting Connor on 01232-559900/559901.
Cinemagic. Northern Ireland's international children's film festival, takes place in December.
And Brian Kennedy and Derry singer-songwriter Phil Coulter will be in front of the microphones again tomorrow night to sing two peace songs for Omagh.
They will perform before an 8,000 crowd at Londonderry's Brandywell Stadium for ' a floodlit soccer match to raise money for victims.
Meanwhile, fewer spectators than expected showed up for Saturday's GAA compromise rules game at St Enda's grounds in Omagh.
The trial match between Ulster/Galway and the Rest of Ireland was in preparation for matches against Australia was the GAA's response to appeal for help for the bomb victims.
Around 3,000 people attended the 20,000-seater stadium. The GAA's leadership was criticised last month for refusing to allow Omagh Town soccer club permission to use the large stadium for a soccer fundraiser.