PM HONOURS HERO OF OMAGH BOMB
PM honours brave young hero of bomb horror
By Suzanne Rodgers
A nine-year-old survivor of the Omagh bomb was among eleven Children of Courage being honoured by Tony and Cherie Blair today.
Emmet McLaughlin (9) from Buncrana, was badly injured in the August 15 blast which killed his cousin Oran Doherty and two young friends.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie today welcomed him to Downing Street as one of the 1998 Woman's Own Children of Courage awards.
Emmet has undergone extensive surgery as a result of his injuries, but he has amazed everyone with his courage.
Today Buncrana Priest Fr Shane Bradley said the award to Emmet would be welcomed by the entire community.
"Emmet is a symbol of how people can lift themselves out of disaster.
"The fact that others are acknowledging that is important. Ana of course for the family circle and his immediate family there is a great sense of pride."
And Sinead McLaughlin, the principal of Scoil losagain, Buncrana where Emmet is a pupil said: "We feel he deserves it because of the courage he has shown since he came back to school. He has settled back well and even though he had a serious hand injury he had participated in everything and never once used his injury to get sympathy."
Other children of courage being honoured today include Laura Giddings from Kent who had her foot amputated after being caught up in the Planet Hollywood bombing in South Africa and David Henderson (10) from Hull who acts as the eyes for his blind mother who he cares for on his own.
By Suzanne Rodgers
A nine-year-old survivor of the Omagh bomb was among eleven Children of Courage being honoured by Tony and Cherie Blair today.
Emmet McLaughlin (9) from Buncrana, was badly injured in the August 15 blast which killed his cousin Oran Doherty and two young friends.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie today welcomed him to Downing Street as one of the 1998 Woman's Own Children of Courage awards.
Emmet has undergone extensive surgery as a result of his injuries, but he has amazed everyone with his courage.
Today Buncrana Priest Fr Shane Bradley said the award to Emmet would be welcomed by the entire community.
"Emmet is a symbol of how people can lift themselves out of disaster.
"The fact that others are acknowledging that is important. Ana of course for the family circle and his immediate family there is a great sense of pride."
And Sinead McLaughlin, the principal of Scoil losagain, Buncrana where Emmet is a pupil said: "We feel he deserves it because of the courage he has shown since he came back to school. He has settled back well and even though he had a serious hand injury he had participated in everything and never once used his injury to get sympathy."
Other children of courage being honoured today include Laura Giddings from Kent who had her foot amputated after being caught up in the Planet Hollywood bombing in South Africa and David Henderson (10) from Hull who acts as the eyes for his blind mother who he cares for on his own.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0542
Published Date: 16-Dec-98
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