BLAIR NO SCARE FOR BLAST HERO EMMET
Blair no scare for blast hero Emmet (9)
OMAGH bomb survivor Emmet McLaughlin visited British prime minister Tony Blair in Downing Street-yesterday and pronounced: "He was very nice; he wasn't too scary."
Nine-year-old Emmet, of Buncrana, Co Donegal, was among 11 children honoured by Mr Blair and his wife Cherie. They each received a 1998 Woman's Own Children of Courage award.
The explosion in August killed 29 people including Emmet's cousin, Oran Doherty aged eight, and two friends, James Barker and Sean McLaughlin, after they had decided to make a last-minute trip into town.
Emmet, who underwent emergency surgery to remove shrapnel from his bowel and suffered severe burns to his hands and face, still faces further operations on his hands and has nightmares about the bombing.
His father Paddy said: "Mr Blair recognised Emmet from meeting him in Omagh in the summer with Bill Clinton. The prime minister told him how brave he was."
South African bomb victim Laura Giddings, who was also honoured, showed Mrs Blair her new artificial foot.
Eight-year-old Laura, from Bramshaw, in the New Forest, Hampshire, was on a family holiday in the summer when they were caught by a terrorist bomb at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Cape Town.
The duchess of Kent presented engraved medallions at a special ceremony in London's Westminster Abbey attended by a host of showbiz celebrities.
The duchess said later: "These winners today are some of the bravest we have had yet - and I really mean that."
Mr Blair added: "It was great to see them gathered around the Cabinet table this morning.
"All of them had heart-rending stories to tell and I was amazed by the bravery and cheerfulness they all showed."
During the ceremony, the duchess spent several minutes talking to each child and even spoke to one recipient, who is unable to talk, in sign language.
The awards were presented after a service held by the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, dean of Westminster, and citations of the children's deeds were read by Brideshead Revisited actor Anthony Andrews.
More than 200 youngsters have been honoured with a Children of Courage award, which is now in its 25th year.
Many previous winners were in yesterday's congregation alongside schoolchildren and celebrities including Joan Collins, Cilia Black, Michael Barrymore and tennis ace Greg Rusedski.
OMAGH bomb survivor Emmet McLaughlin visited British prime minister Tony Blair in Downing Street-yesterday and pronounced: "He was very nice; he wasn't too scary."
Nine-year-old Emmet, of Buncrana, Co Donegal, was among 11 children honoured by Mr Blair and his wife Cherie. They each received a 1998 Woman's Own Children of Courage award.
The explosion in August killed 29 people including Emmet's cousin, Oran Doherty aged eight, and two friends, James Barker and Sean McLaughlin, after they had decided to make a last-minute trip into town.
Emmet, who underwent emergency surgery to remove shrapnel from his bowel and suffered severe burns to his hands and face, still faces further operations on his hands and has nightmares about the bombing.
His father Paddy said: "Mr Blair recognised Emmet from meeting him in Omagh in the summer with Bill Clinton. The prime minister told him how brave he was."
South African bomb victim Laura Giddings, who was also honoured, showed Mrs Blair her new artificial foot.
Eight-year-old Laura, from Bramshaw, in the New Forest, Hampshire, was on a family holiday in the summer when they were caught by a terrorist bomb at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Cape Town.
The duchess of Kent presented engraved medallions at a special ceremony in London's Westminster Abbey attended by a host of showbiz celebrities.
The duchess said later: "These winners today are some of the bravest we have had yet - and I really mean that."
Mr Blair added: "It was great to see them gathered around the Cabinet table this morning.
"All of them had heart-rending stories to tell and I was amazed by the bravery and cheerfulness they all showed."
During the ceremony, the duchess spent several minutes talking to each child and even spoke to one recipient, who is unable to talk, in sign language.
The awards were presented after a service held by the Very Rev Dr Wesley Carr, dean of Westminster, and citations of the children's deeds were read by Brideshead Revisited actor Anthony Andrews.
More than 200 youngsters have been honoured with a Children of Courage award, which is now in its 25th year.
Many previous winners were in yesterday's congregation alongside schoolchildren and celebrities including Joan Collins, Cilia Black, Michael Barrymore and tennis ace Greg Rusedski.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0250
Published Date: 17-Dec-98
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