DON'T LET MY WIFE'S DEATH BE IN VAIN
Don't let my wife's death be in vain'
THE HUSBAND of one of the Omagh victims has told President Bill Clinton that his wife will not have died in vain if peace lasts.
Kevin Skelton and his four children, one of whom was badly injured in the blast, met the President during an emotional day at Omagh leisure centre. The leisure centre was where many of the families of the dead and injured learned of their bereavement and sorrow during the long night after the bomb. Yesterday, around 700 families and members of the clergy gathered there for a private meeting with the President, Mrs Clinton, the Prime Minister and Mrs Blair.
Drumquin man Mr Skelton was shopping with his wife, Philomena, and children, Shauna (13), Tracey (15) and 18-year-old Paula, when the bomb exploded. His son Ray (16) was on a fishing trip.
Philomena (39), who only went into town twice a year to shop for Christmas and school uniforms, died at the scene while Shauna had to undergo six hours surgery at Altnagelvin hospital to insert a steel plate in her jaw.
Mr Skelton said he was glad to see the VIPs in Omagh and that it was a welcome boost for his family, although their grief is still very hard to bear.
"The President shook hands with all of my family," said Mr Skelton. "He sympathised with us and he was very genuine. He seemed very moved.
"He didn't seem at all rushed, and he especially made time for Shauna, enquiring about her injuries and signing an autograph for her.
"Shauna's had a bad time. She's still sore and she can't eat solids, she's sucking food through a straw. But she's getting better.
"I told him and Mr Blair to keep on with their good work - keep the peace process going, make sure it works. If this is the last bomb, then my wife will not have died in vain. If it's not. there's no future for my children.
THE HUSBAND of one of the Omagh victims has told President Bill Clinton that his wife will not have died in vain if peace lasts.
Kevin Skelton and his four children, one of whom was badly injured in the blast, met the President during an emotional day at Omagh leisure centre. The leisure centre was where many of the families of the dead and injured learned of their bereavement and sorrow during the long night after the bomb. Yesterday, around 700 families and members of the clergy gathered there for a private meeting with the President, Mrs Clinton, the Prime Minister and Mrs Blair.
Drumquin man Mr Skelton was shopping with his wife, Philomena, and children, Shauna (13), Tracey (15) and 18-year-old Paula, when the bomb exploded. His son Ray (16) was on a fishing trip.
Philomena (39), who only went into town twice a year to shop for Christmas and school uniforms, died at the scene while Shauna had to undergo six hours surgery at Altnagelvin hospital to insert a steel plate in her jaw.
Mr Skelton said he was glad to see the VIPs in Omagh and that it was a welcome boost for his family, although their grief is still very hard to bear.
"The President shook hands with all of my family," said Mr Skelton. "He sympathised with us and he was very genuine. He seemed very moved.
"He didn't seem at all rushed, and he especially made time for Shauna, enquiring about her injuries and signing an autograph for her.
"Shauna's had a bad time. She's still sore and she can't eat solids, she's sucking food through a straw. But she's getting better.
"I told him and Mr Blair to keep on with their good work - keep the peace process going, make sure it works. If this is the last bomb, then my wife will not have died in vain. If it's not. there's no future for my children.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0644
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.