OMAGH BOMB DAD SLAMS UNCARING GOVERNMENT
Omagh bomb dad slams 'uncaring' Government
By Alan Erwin
AN outraged father whose son was killed in the Omagh bomb atrocity today accused the Government of abandoning relatives of the dead.
Michael Gallagher hit out at new Northern Ireland Victim's Minister Angela Smith after she rejected a plea to help move his traumatised daughter closer to the family home.
He said: "It's time those bereaved in the Troubles realised this Government will do absolutely nothing for them."
Mr Gallagher has been trying to secure the tenancy on a vacant Housing Executive property for his daughter Sharon, (30), near to where he lives in the Tyrone town. She has suffered from severe depression since her brother Aidan, (21), was murdered along with 28 others in the Real IRA bomb attack.
After victims' issues were transferred to her portfolio during the Cabinet reshuffle in June, Mr Gallagher wrote to Ms Smith seeking her help. Setting out the need for his daughter to receive the full family support she so badly needs, he urged the minister to use her influence.
But he was shocked by the manner in which Ms Smith turned down his plea.
All houses are allocated on the basis of a point system due to legal requirements, she told him in a response.
The minister said: "It would be out of the question for me to intervene to ask for preferential treatment for victims."
According to Mr Gallagher, that is exactly what she should have done.
By Alan Erwin
AN outraged father whose son was killed in the Omagh bomb atrocity today accused the Government of abandoning relatives of the dead.
Michael Gallagher hit out at new Northern Ireland Victim's Minister Angela Smith after she rejected a plea to help move his traumatised daughter closer to the family home.
He said: "It's time those bereaved in the Troubles realised this Government will do absolutely nothing for them."
Mr Gallagher has been trying to secure the tenancy on a vacant Housing Executive property for his daughter Sharon, (30), near to where he lives in the Tyrone town. She has suffered from severe depression since her brother Aidan, (21), was murdered along with 28 others in the Real IRA bomb attack.
After victims' issues were transferred to her portfolio during the Cabinet reshuffle in June, Mr Gallagher wrote to Ms Smith seeking her help. Setting out the need for his daughter to receive the full family support she so badly needs, he urged the minister to use her influence.
But he was shocked by the manner in which Ms Smith turned down his plea.
All houses are allocated on the basis of a point system due to legal requirements, she told him in a response.
The minister said: "It would be out of the question for me to intervene to ask for preferential treatment for victims."
According to Mr Gallagher, that is exactly what she should have done.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0896
Published Date: 04-Aug-03
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