80 OMAGH CHILDREN IN COUNSELLING
80 Omagh children in counselling
By PA News
MORE than 80 children traumatised by the Omagh bombing are undergoing specialist counselling, it emerged today.
They are among hundreds suffering profound distress and psychological problems four months after the Real IRA atrocity.
The emotional legacy of the bombing, which claimed 29 lives and injured more than 300 people, was revealed as one of the last victims was discharged from hospital.
Pauline Green (19) who had her left leg amputated below the knee and suffered other severe multiple injuries, yesterday left the Royal Victoria Hospital.
She spoke of her determination to get on with her life and return to college where she is studying art.
Paying tribute to the dedicated nursing staff who cared for her she said: "I wouldn't have got through it if it wasn't for their help.
"Every time I cried there was someone there, every time I laughed there was someone there too. I have had brilliant times here as well as bad."
She said she owed her courage to the determination of the hundreds of other people injured in the bombing.
One victim, a woman in her twenties, remains in hospital where she is being treated for burns.
At the same time, the community trauma team set up after the bombing revealed the extent of the psychological impact on the town's young people.
David Bolton, of Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust, said his team had around 280 cases. Voluntary organisations had handled a further 250.
More and more people were coming forward as the full horror of the bombing sank in. Many were young people and at least 80 were children, he said.
"We are now beginning to see people who are more seriously distressed, people are being referred directly by GPs with very clear evidence of profound distress."
Meanwhile, a number of top English and Scottish soccer clubs have offered to play a series of end-of-season friendlies with Omagh Town FC in the high-profile bid to raise money for the victims of the bombing.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Celtic and Rangers are all ready to visit the town's St Julian's Road ground which is to install extra seating to double its capacity to 7,000 for the games.
Roy McCreadie, manager of the Irish league team, said he hoped the matches would significantly boost the Omagh appeal fund.
By PA News
MORE than 80 children traumatised by the Omagh bombing are undergoing specialist counselling, it emerged today.
They are among hundreds suffering profound distress and psychological problems four months after the Real IRA atrocity.
The emotional legacy of the bombing, which claimed 29 lives and injured more than 300 people, was revealed as one of the last victims was discharged from hospital.
Pauline Green (19) who had her left leg amputated below the knee and suffered other severe multiple injuries, yesterday left the Royal Victoria Hospital.
She spoke of her determination to get on with her life and return to college where she is studying art.
Paying tribute to the dedicated nursing staff who cared for her she said: "I wouldn't have got through it if it wasn't for their help.
"Every time I cried there was someone there, every time I laughed there was someone there too. I have had brilliant times here as well as bad."
She said she owed her courage to the determination of the hundreds of other people injured in the bombing.
One victim, a woman in her twenties, remains in hospital where she is being treated for burns.
At the same time, the community trauma team set up after the bombing revealed the extent of the psychological impact on the town's young people.
David Bolton, of Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust, said his team had around 280 cases. Voluntary organisations had handled a further 250.
More and more people were coming forward as the full horror of the bombing sank in. Many were young people and at least 80 were children, he said.
"We are now beginning to see people who are more seriously distressed, people are being referred directly by GPs with very clear evidence of profound distress."
Meanwhile, a number of top English and Scottish soccer clubs have offered to play a series of end-of-season friendlies with Omagh Town FC in the high-profile bid to raise money for the victims of the bombing.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Celtic and Rangers are all ready to visit the town's St Julian's Road ground which is to install extra seating to double its capacity to 7,000 for the games.
Roy McCreadie, manager of the Irish league team, said he hoped the matches would significantly boost the Omagh appeal fund.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0529
Published Date: 03-Dec-98
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