OMAGH FAMILY IN FUND CASH RUMPUS
Omagh families in fund cash rumpus
By Michael McHugh
OMAGH bomb victims are considering taking legal action over the allocation of funds donated by well-wishers from around the world for those affected by the 1998 blast. An urgent meeting is be held to discuss the fresh row after trustees of the �200,000 pot from the Omagh Hardships Fund announced that they would be taking recommendations for its distribution.
The money is left over from earlier rounds of funding but bomb victims are angry they have not been consulted on the disposal.
Bids will be open to people from across the province, as well as Madrid and Buncrana, and up to �5,000 will be available to each group.
Recommendations for awards will be made by local community and religious groups, including the Forum in Omagh for Community Understanding and Support (Focus) and the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation.
Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife Philomena in the blast which killed 29 people, said he would be holding talks to discuss the latest news with a view to legal action. "I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard about this," he said. "The Omagh Fund was set up for the families of the Omagh bomb and yet none have been consulted. A lot of families feel that this is rubbing their noses in the dirt."
The Fund is designed to be used for a variety of causes. These could include travelling expenses for accompanying injured relatives to hospital or university fees if someone has had to suspend studies.
Fellow Omagh campaigner, Michael Gallagher, said he was outraged. "The money was not distributed in the spirit it was given and to call this a hardship fund is to take the last vestige of respect from the victims," he said.
Geraldine Keys from Focus said the money was intended to help those dealing with the impact of the bomb who had not previously come forward. "People react differently to stress and some people are only suffering from the effects of the bomb now. The fund is designed to help all who were affected by the bomb, not just those who were bereaved," she said.
Omagh Fund chief Sean O'Dwyer said: "It is long-term help rather than short-term. We feel that those who have suffered, particularly those who have suffered financial hardship, should be helped."
By Michael McHugh
OMAGH bomb victims are considering taking legal action over the allocation of funds donated by well-wishers from around the world for those affected by the 1998 blast. An urgent meeting is be held to discuss the fresh row after trustees of the �200,000 pot from the Omagh Hardships Fund announced that they would be taking recommendations for its distribution.
The money is left over from earlier rounds of funding but bomb victims are angry they have not been consulted on the disposal.
Bids will be open to people from across the province, as well as Madrid and Buncrana, and up to �5,000 will be available to each group.
Recommendations for awards will be made by local community and religious groups, including the Forum in Omagh for Community Understanding and Support (Focus) and the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation.
Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife Philomena in the blast which killed 29 people, said he would be holding talks to discuss the latest news with a view to legal action. "I was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard about this," he said. "The Omagh Fund was set up for the families of the Omagh bomb and yet none have been consulted. A lot of families feel that this is rubbing their noses in the dirt."
The Fund is designed to be used for a variety of causes. These could include travelling expenses for accompanying injured relatives to hospital or university fees if someone has had to suspend studies.
Fellow Omagh campaigner, Michael Gallagher, said he was outraged. "The money was not distributed in the spirit it was given and to call this a hardship fund is to take the last vestige of respect from the victims," he said.
Geraldine Keys from Focus said the money was intended to help those dealing with the impact of the bomb who had not previously come forward. "People react differently to stress and some people are only suffering from the effects of the bomb now. The fund is designed to help all who were affected by the bomb, not just those who were bereaved," she said.
Omagh Fund chief Sean O'Dwyer said: "It is long-term help rather than short-term. We feel that those who have suffered, particularly those who have suffered financial hardship, should be helped."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0923
Published Date: 02-Apr-04
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