OMAGH BOMB VICTIM FAMILY ADOPTS SISTERS
Omagh bomb victim family adopts sisters
By Suzanne Rodgers
A HEART-BROKEN father who lost his wife in the Omagh bomb is planning to adopt the little Romanian girl she loved, it was revealed today.
Kevin Skelton hopes to be able to make 11-year-old Andrea Cozac and her sister Nicolette (13) a permanent addition to the family.
And he has the total support of daughters Paula (19) Tracey (16) Shauna (14) and son Ray (17). He said today that it is what his wife, Philomena, would have wanted.
Mrs Skelton was killed while on a rare shopping trip with him to Omagh on August 15, when the massive bomb blast ripped through the town.
For the past three years, Andrea has spent a summer holiday with the Skeltons at their home in Drumquin, where she was especially close to Philomena.
The little Romanian girl had just returned home last year when Philomena was killed.
This year, she returned for another visit, but Kevin is determined she will become a full member of the family, together with her sister Nicolette, who spends her summers with another Tyrone family.
Speaking today as he was preparing for Andrea to return to Romania he said: "This is something Philomena talked about and wanted very much.
"It is as much her dream as mine. When Andrea came to us first I was a bit worried but Philomena wanted it and I went along with her.
"We all grew to love Andrea her very much. She is just part of the family and my own children think the world of her."
He added: "For the past three weeks she has been a tower of strength to us even though I know it has been hard for her. We took her to
Philomena's grave and she was very quiet.
"I am hoping to be able to adopt both Andrea and her sister Nicolette. There is no point in taking one without the other."
The girls' mother is still alive, but they spend almost all of their time in the orphanage.
If he is unable to formally adopt the pair, Kevin plans to make financial provision so that they can be cared for out of the orphanage.
"Hopefully, I will be able to adopt them but if not I will make other arrangements, depending on what agreement I can come to with their mother.
"It is something we all want and I know Philomena would too," he said.
By Suzanne Rodgers
A HEART-BROKEN father who lost his wife in the Omagh bomb is planning to adopt the little Romanian girl she loved, it was revealed today.
Kevin Skelton hopes to be able to make 11-year-old Andrea Cozac and her sister Nicolette (13) a permanent addition to the family.
And he has the total support of daughters Paula (19) Tracey (16) Shauna (14) and son Ray (17). He said today that it is what his wife, Philomena, would have wanted.
Mrs Skelton was killed while on a rare shopping trip with him to Omagh on August 15, when the massive bomb blast ripped through the town.
For the past three years, Andrea has spent a summer holiday with the Skeltons at their home in Drumquin, where she was especially close to Philomena.
The little Romanian girl had just returned home last year when Philomena was killed.
This year, she returned for another visit, but Kevin is determined she will become a full member of the family, together with her sister Nicolette, who spends her summers with another Tyrone family.
Speaking today as he was preparing for Andrea to return to Romania he said: "This is something Philomena talked about and wanted very much.
"It is as much her dream as mine. When Andrea came to us first I was a bit worried but Philomena wanted it and I went along with her.
"We all grew to love Andrea her very much. She is just part of the family and my own children think the world of her."
He added: "For the past three weeks she has been a tower of strength to us even though I know it has been hard for her. We took her to
Philomena's grave and she was very quiet.
"I am hoping to be able to adopt both Andrea and her sister Nicolette. There is no point in taking one without the other."
The girls' mother is still alive, but they spend almost all of their time in the orphanage.
If he is unable to formally adopt the pair, Kevin plans to make financial provision so that they can be cared for out of the orphanage.
"Hopefully, I will be able to adopt them but if not I will make other arrangements, depending on what agreement I can come to with their mother.
"It is something we all want and I know Philomena would too," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0578
Published Date: 09-Sep-99
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