THE DAY THE DEVIL CAME FOR OMAGH
The day the devil came for Omagh'
By Steven McCaffery and PA News
SIX days after the Omagh bombing Francis Coyle remembers the day "the devil" came to town.
The 37-year-old was shopping with his wife and son when he was blown across the street by the blast.
He suffered shrapnel wounds and is now one of six people, all of whom are reported stable, still receiving treatment at Tyrone County Hospital.
Mr Coyle's 14-year-old daughter had stayed at home that day, but his wife was injured and his nine-year-old son, Stephen, is still in intensive care in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
"The devil came to Omagh that day," said Mr Coyle.
There was a big flash and then a massive thud. I knew right away that it was a bomb and that it was close. I was thrown spread-eagled up into the air.
"I could feel things going past me and some hitting my arm. My eyes were open and when I came to hit the ground again, I could see buildings falling down. Everything was in slow motion."
Mr Coyle, who suffered wounds to his right arm, saw his wife running towards him screaming. The couple found Stephen face down on the road.
"I turned him round and saw part of his shoulder blade was missing,"
"Linda was screaming that he was dying, so I was trying to pacify her and see to Stephen," said Mr Coyle.
He lifted his young son and tried to carry him to safety, but had to stop when he realised the extent of his own injuries - blood pouring down his coat sleeve.
The three were among the first to arrive in casualty after they were driven there in a minibus.
Mr Coyle said he stayed with Stephen for 10 hours as his son drifted in and out of consciousness before being transferred to Belfast suffering from shrapnel wounds to his stomach and spleen.
"I talked to Stephen all that time and told him to be strong and always to fight."
Now the family look forward to celebrating Stephen's 10th birthday in eight days' time as the youngster continues to make a slow recovery.
Counselling services are now also offering help to hospital staff who helped the injured and comforted the bereaved.
Another of the injured, Sharon Haughey (25), suffered shrapnel wounds to her neck, legs, arms and back as she was on a shopping trip with her sons, Darryl (9) and Matthew (2).
"I remember seeing a white light and then I was just blown onto the road. I actually thought I was dead. My jeans had been blown off so I thought I had lost my leg.
"I remember hearing Darryl saying 'mummy come back'. Every time I got up, I was just blown back."
All three of them managed to get to the hospital on an Ulsterbus. She has since had one large lump of shrapnel removed from her neck and another smaller piece taken out of the back of her head.
"If the shrapnel had gone in through the front of my neck rather than at the back, I would not be here talking today," she said.
By Steven McCaffery and PA News
SIX days after the Omagh bombing Francis Coyle remembers the day "the devil" came to town.
The 37-year-old was shopping with his wife and son when he was blown across the street by the blast.
He suffered shrapnel wounds and is now one of six people, all of whom are reported stable, still receiving treatment at Tyrone County Hospital.
Mr Coyle's 14-year-old daughter had stayed at home that day, but his wife was injured and his nine-year-old son, Stephen, is still in intensive care in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
"The devil came to Omagh that day," said Mr Coyle.
There was a big flash and then a massive thud. I knew right away that it was a bomb and that it was close. I was thrown spread-eagled up into the air.
"I could feel things going past me and some hitting my arm. My eyes were open and when I came to hit the ground again, I could see buildings falling down. Everything was in slow motion."
Mr Coyle, who suffered wounds to his right arm, saw his wife running towards him screaming. The couple found Stephen face down on the road.
"I turned him round and saw part of his shoulder blade was missing,"
"Linda was screaming that he was dying, so I was trying to pacify her and see to Stephen," said Mr Coyle.
He lifted his young son and tried to carry him to safety, but had to stop when he realised the extent of his own injuries - blood pouring down his coat sleeve.
The three were among the first to arrive in casualty after they were driven there in a minibus.
Mr Coyle said he stayed with Stephen for 10 hours as his son drifted in and out of consciousness before being transferred to Belfast suffering from shrapnel wounds to his stomach and spleen.
"I talked to Stephen all that time and told him to be strong and always to fight."
Now the family look forward to celebrating Stephen's 10th birthday in eight days' time as the youngster continues to make a slow recovery.
Counselling services are now also offering help to hospital staff who helped the injured and comforted the bereaved.
Another of the injured, Sharon Haughey (25), suffered shrapnel wounds to her neck, legs, arms and back as she was on a shopping trip with her sons, Darryl (9) and Matthew (2).
"I remember seeing a white light and then I was just blown onto the road. I actually thought I was dead. My jeans had been blown off so I thought I had lost my leg.
"I remember hearing Darryl saying 'mummy come back'. Every time I got up, I was just blown back."
All three of them managed to get to the hospital on an Ulsterbus. She has since had one large lump of shrapnel removed from her neck and another smaller piece taken out of the back of her head.
"If the shrapnel had gone in through the front of my neck rather than at the back, I would not be here talking today," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0135
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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