RUGBY JOY OF BOMB BOY
Rugby joy of bomb boy
Alastair (12) leads out Ireland
By Gail Walker
A BRAVE young Omagh bomb victim received a hero's reception in Dublin today when he led out the Ireland rugby team to face England.
of the family's overwhelming pride in the youngster.
He revealed that Alastair had chosen not to wear tracksuit bottoms in front of the 50,000 capacity Lansdowne Road crowd - but opted for shorts and shirt instead.
Mr Hall said: "It was a very courageous thing to do.
In a moving tribute, tens of thousands of spectators saluted the courage of Alastair Hall, 12, who lost part of his leg in the blast but strode out onto the pitch wearing his newly fitted artificial limb.
And today, speaking from his Dublin hotel, the boy's father Lindsay talked and we are so very proud of him.
"He had been looking forward to today from even before he got his limbed fitted and though he could have worn tracksuit bottoms, he just decided he'd wear the shorts.
"Really Alastair is just determined to keep going forward with all of this."
The schoolboy, who has his right leg amputated from the knee down, was a keen rugby player on his school team, Omagh Academy, before he was injured in the Real IRA bombing, which killed 29 people.
His mum Gwen suffered leg and head injuries in the blast and is still completely deaf in one ear.
Alastair was invited to act as team mascot today after a visit by members of the Ireland team to his school.
Alastair, who has been frequently visited by members of the Ireland team since the bombing, received a full Ireland kit from team captain, Ulsterman Paddy Johns,before accompanying the side onto the field just before kick-off.
In response to the tragedy which affected so many people in all walks of life, the Irish Rugby Football Union has established an Omagh fund.
Those wishing to contribute the Banks account established is Bank of Ireland, Armagh, Account Number 45577890; Sort Code 90-20-47.
Alastair (12) leads out Ireland
By Gail Walker
A BRAVE young Omagh bomb victim received a hero's reception in Dublin today when he led out the Ireland rugby team to face England.
of the family's overwhelming pride in the youngster.
He revealed that Alastair had chosen not to wear tracksuit bottoms in front of the 50,000 capacity Lansdowne Road crowd - but opted for shorts and shirt instead.
Mr Hall said: "It was a very courageous thing to do.
In a moving tribute, tens of thousands of spectators saluted the courage of Alastair Hall, 12, who lost part of his leg in the blast but strode out onto the pitch wearing his newly fitted artificial limb.
And today, speaking from his Dublin hotel, the boy's father Lindsay talked and we are so very proud of him.
"He had been looking forward to today from even before he got his limbed fitted and though he could have worn tracksuit bottoms, he just decided he'd wear the shorts.
"Really Alastair is just determined to keep going forward with all of this."
The schoolboy, who has his right leg amputated from the knee down, was a keen rugby player on his school team, Omagh Academy, before he was injured in the Real IRA bombing, which killed 29 people.
His mum Gwen suffered leg and head injuries in the blast and is still completely deaf in one ear.
Alastair was invited to act as team mascot today after a visit by members of the Ireland team to his school.
Alastair, who has been frequently visited by members of the Ireland team since the bombing, received a full Ireland kit from team captain, Ulsterman Paddy Johns,before accompanying the side onto the field just before kick-off.
In response to the tragedy which affected so many people in all walks of life, the Irish Rugby Football Union has established an Omagh fund.
Those wishing to contribute the Banks account established is Bank of Ireland, Armagh, Account Number 45577890; Sort Code 90-20-47.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0571
Published Date: 06-Mar-99
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