POLITICIANS MUST SPEAK CAREFULLY
Politicians must speak carefully'
By Seamus McKinney
Derry Correspondent
THE BISHOP of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, has made an impassioned plea to politicians to be careful about what they say in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
Dr Hegarty - who arrived in Omagh late on Saturday night to comfort grieving relatives and the wounded - said: "I think it would be very appropriate as a gesture of solidarity with the people who are dead and particularly those who are still awaiting news of those who are missing if any other kind of comment - political comment in particular which is misplaced at this time - should be avoided.
"It does not help to speculate at this stage and 1 think it is less than supportive of the relatives who are grieving beyond measure here. They need our undivided attention, our support, our attention and our prayers at this time," Dr Hegarty said. He added: "I have been first of all to the hospital where I've seen the effects of the injuries and I'm told that traumatic and frightening as those injuries are that they are the least serious of them.
"Others with more serious injuries have been moved elsewhere," he said.
Extending his "profound sympathy" to the relatives of the dead, Dr Hegarty wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He also expressed his support and solidarity with the relatives and friends who were still waiting for news of their loved ones.
The Derry bishop said his visit was a pastoral one - he would comment in more detail later.
By Seamus McKinney
Derry Correspondent
THE BISHOP of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, has made an impassioned plea to politicians to be careful about what they say in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing.
Dr Hegarty - who arrived in Omagh late on Saturday night to comfort grieving relatives and the wounded - said: "I think it would be very appropriate as a gesture of solidarity with the people who are dead and particularly those who are still awaiting news of those who are missing if any other kind of comment - political comment in particular which is misplaced at this time - should be avoided.
"It does not help to speculate at this stage and 1 think it is less than supportive of the relatives who are grieving beyond measure here. They need our undivided attention, our support, our attention and our prayers at this time," Dr Hegarty said. He added: "I have been first of all to the hospital where I've seen the effects of the injuries and I'm told that traumatic and frightening as those injuries are that they are the least serious of them.
"Others with more serious injuries have been moved elsewhere," he said.
Extending his "profound sympathy" to the relatives of the dead, Dr Hegarty wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He also expressed his support and solidarity with the relatives and friends who were still waiting for news of their loved ones.
The Derry bishop said his visit was a pastoral one - he would comment in more detail later.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0020
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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