SINCERITY OF VISIT TOUCHES BLAST VICTIMS
Sincerity' of visit touches blast victims
By Enda McClafferty
THE heartbroken mother of Omagh bomb victim James Barker told today of how she was deeply touched by the sincerity and warmth of the President and First Lady.
Donna Marie Barker and her family spent several minutes talking with the US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary during their visit to Omagh Leisure Centre yesterday.
'Although they only spoke with us for a short time they made a lasting impression and it is something that we will never forget,' she said.
'Throughout the whole time they spent with us both the President and his wife held my youngest son's hand, which was very nice.
'Mr Clinton kept saying that he was so sorry for our loss and said that no amount of words could ever make up for our suffering.' Mrs Barker, who was accompanied by her daughters Erin-Esther (23) and Estella (15) and son Oliver Tristan (4), joined the 27 other bereaved families and the 700 injured for the emotional meeting yesterday afternoon.
It was the first time the Buncrana family had returned to the place where they had learned of the death of their 12-year-old son, who was killed along with his Spanish pen pal and two other friends.
'To see all those young people in wheelchairs and all bandaged up is something that will stay with me for a long time,' explained Mrs Barker.
'Meeting Mr Clinton and Tony Blair seemed unimportant while surrounded by such pain and hurt, it brought it home to me that we were just one of a large number of families who had suffered.
'There was one young girl about 17-years-old who had both eyes bandaged and who I was told may never be able to see again. It was heart rendering and it just put it all into perspective.' Mrs Barker also met with Prime Minister Tony Blair, his wife Cherrie and Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.
'Mrs Blair was especially nice as she talked to me as a mother and not as a the wife of a Prime Minister, which was very touching,' she said.
'She told me that she could not bare the thought of losing any of her sons and said that we were very brave.'
By Enda McClafferty
THE heartbroken mother of Omagh bomb victim James Barker told today of how she was deeply touched by the sincerity and warmth of the President and First Lady.
Donna Marie Barker and her family spent several minutes talking with the US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary during their visit to Omagh Leisure Centre yesterday.
'Although they only spoke with us for a short time they made a lasting impression and it is something that we will never forget,' she said.
'Throughout the whole time they spent with us both the President and his wife held my youngest son's hand, which was very nice.
'Mr Clinton kept saying that he was so sorry for our loss and said that no amount of words could ever make up for our suffering.' Mrs Barker, who was accompanied by her daughters Erin-Esther (23) and Estella (15) and son Oliver Tristan (4), joined the 27 other bereaved families and the 700 injured for the emotional meeting yesterday afternoon.
It was the first time the Buncrana family had returned to the place where they had learned of the death of their 12-year-old son, who was killed along with his Spanish pen pal and two other friends.
'To see all those young people in wheelchairs and all bandaged up is something that will stay with me for a long time,' explained Mrs Barker.
'Meeting Mr Clinton and Tony Blair seemed unimportant while surrounded by such pain and hurt, it brought it home to me that we were just one of a large number of families who had suffered.
'There was one young girl about 17-years-old who had both eyes bandaged and who I was told may never be able to see again. It was heart rendering and it just put it all into perspective.' Mrs Barker also met with Prime Minister Tony Blair, his wife Cherrie and Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.
'Mrs Blair was especially nice as she talked to me as a mother and not as a the wife of a Prime Minister, which was very touching,' she said.
'She told me that she could not bare the thought of losing any of her sons and said that we were very brave.'
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0646
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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