CLINTON IN PRIVATE TALKS AT OMAGH
Clinton in private talks at Omagh
By Maureen Coleman and Claire Regan
BILL Clinton today held a private meeting with relatives of the Omagh bomb victims. The former President rearranged his schedule at short-notice to attend the private gathering at the Ulster-American Folk Park, after receiving a heart-rending letter from the mother of young victim Aidan Gallagher. Some of the relatives he met are heavily involved in a fund-raising campaign to take a civil court action against the men suspected of involvement in the August 1998 bombing which left 29 people dead. Michael Gallagher, father of victim Aidan, is pressing for the court action. Before his meeting with Mr Clinton today he said: "We've raised �250,000 so far, but we need the same amount again."
Chief executive of Omagh District Council, Danny McSorley, and the council's SDLP chairman Liam McQuade, were expected to accompany the relatives and people who were injured in the explosion to the folk park. But a council source said the meeting was strictly private between Mr Clinton and the relatives. Mr Gallagher said the relatives were grateful the former President had agreed to change his schedule.
"He is coming at a critical time as we fight to raise funds for a civil action, which must be launched before the third anniversary of the bombing."
In the letter to Mr Clinton, Mr Gallagher's wife Patsy told him of the "pain and anguish" felt by all the relatives since the bomb.
And she said that they needed to feel that they were not "walking alone".
Meanwhile, in Enniskillen the excitement was tangible as usually deserted early morning streets thronged with activity.
The former President was due to address thousands at the Town Hall after unveiling a plaque at the scene of the 1987 Remembrance Day bomb.
Mr Clinton will receive an honorary doctorate from QUB tonight.
By Maureen Coleman and Claire Regan
BILL Clinton today held a private meeting with relatives of the Omagh bomb victims. The former President rearranged his schedule at short-notice to attend the private gathering at the Ulster-American Folk Park, after receiving a heart-rending letter from the mother of young victim Aidan Gallagher. Some of the relatives he met are heavily involved in a fund-raising campaign to take a civil court action against the men suspected of involvement in the August 1998 bombing which left 29 people dead. Michael Gallagher, father of victim Aidan, is pressing for the court action. Before his meeting with Mr Clinton today he said: "We've raised �250,000 so far, but we need the same amount again."
Chief executive of Omagh District Council, Danny McSorley, and the council's SDLP chairman Liam McQuade, were expected to accompany the relatives and people who were injured in the explosion to the folk park. But a council source said the meeting was strictly private between Mr Clinton and the relatives. Mr Gallagher said the relatives were grateful the former President had agreed to change his schedule.
"He is coming at a critical time as we fight to raise funds for a civil action, which must be launched before the third anniversary of the bombing."
In the letter to Mr Clinton, Mr Gallagher's wife Patsy told him of the "pain and anguish" felt by all the relatives since the bomb.
And she said that they needed to feel that they were not "walking alone".
Meanwhile, in Enniskillen the excitement was tangible as usually deserted early morning streets thronged with activity.
The former President was due to address thousands at the Town Hall after unveiling a plaque at the scene of the 1987 Remembrance Day bomb.
Mr Clinton will receive an honorary doctorate from QUB tonight.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0778
Published Date: 24-May-01
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