MODEST TEENAGER PLAYS DOWN ROLE
Modest teenager plays down bomb aid role
By William Allen
A TEENAGE hero has spoken of his amazement at the attention he has received since he was identified on an amateur video which showed him helping victims of the Omagh bomb.
Television viewers all over the world saw Sean O'Connor (19) from the Tyrone village of Dromore helping the dead and dying.
He was finally identified after his family read of the efforts to find him in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph.
The modest teenager, who studies sport and leisure at Fermanagh College, was easily picked out on the video because he was wearing a Celtic shirt.
He was clearly seen helping the shocked and injured to their feet.
The search for Sean started when a former Glasgow Celtic director said he wanted the unsung hero to present �50,000 to the Omagh bomb fund.
Millionaire property developer Brian Dempsey wants Sean to join a Rangers fan to hand over the cheque.
It will be given to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin next Tuesday on the first night of the Celtic Story. All of the night's proceeds will go to the fund.
Sean said today he was in Omagh with his father Seamus when the bomb went off.
"All I could see was bodies lying everywhere and limbs lying."
He played down his part in the rescue operation and said he helped at the scene until ambulances arrived and police asked civilians to move away.
Sean said Mr Dempsey had not yet been in touch but he would take part in the cheque presentation ceremony.
His father Seamus said he had seen the video on television and recognised Sean instantly.
"I was very surprised when I saw it," he said. "He was clearly recognisable"
By William Allen
A TEENAGE hero has spoken of his amazement at the attention he has received since he was identified on an amateur video which showed him helping victims of the Omagh bomb.
Television viewers all over the world saw Sean O'Connor (19) from the Tyrone village of Dromore helping the dead and dying.
He was finally identified after his family read of the efforts to find him in yesterday's Belfast Telegraph.
The modest teenager, who studies sport and leisure at Fermanagh College, was easily picked out on the video because he was wearing a Celtic shirt.
He was clearly seen helping the shocked and injured to their feet.
The search for Sean started when a former Glasgow Celtic director said he wanted the unsung hero to present �50,000 to the Omagh bomb fund.
Millionaire property developer Brian Dempsey wants Sean to join a Rangers fan to hand over the cheque.
It will be given to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin next Tuesday on the first night of the Celtic Story. All of the night's proceeds will go to the fund.
Sean said today he was in Omagh with his father Seamus when the bomb went off.
"All I could see was bodies lying everywhere and limbs lying."
He played down his part in the rescue operation and said he helped at the scene until ambulances arrived and police asked civilians to move away.
Sean said Mr Dempsey had not yet been in touch but he would take part in the cheque presentation ceremony.
His father Seamus said he had seen the video on television and recognised Sean instantly.
"I was very surprised when I saw it," he said. "He was clearly recognisable"
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0636
Published Date: 02-Sep-98
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