OMAGH VICTIM'S JOY
Omagh victim's joy
By Seamus McKinney
A STRABANE schoolboy who was put on a life support machine after sustaining horrific injuries in the Omagh bombing has come home to a hero's welcome.
Stephen Coyle (10) was welcomed with a street party organised by his neighbours and friends when he arrived at his Lisnafin Park home.
So secret were the celebrations that even Stephen's mother and father, Linda and Francis Coyle knew nothing about the arrangements. Only Stephen's sister, Natalie was aware of the planned party.
As Stephen arrived at Lisnafin Park this week after spending a month at Belfast's Royal Victoria hospital, he was greeted by a brass band and a full-scale street party.
Caught up in the bomb which devastated Omagh on August 15, killing 29 people, Stephen sustained multiple injuries with his father who was also caught in the blast
Although he underwent 12 operations during his month in hospital, nothing could have prepared the Strabane 10-year-old for the sight which greeted him on his return home.
Up to 200 people were waiting, including all his school chums and friends from the Lisnafin Park area.
And, there was another surprise for Stephen as his father Francis fulfilled a promise he made to his son as he lay between life and death in Omagh's Tyrone and County hospital.
As doctors waited to transfer Stephen to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast, the Strabane youngster asked his parents to buy him a dog.
"We pleaded and prayed for him to hang on and not to slip away. At that moment I would have given him anything just to keep him alive," Francis recalled.
He was as good as his word and Stephen was presented with an eight-week-old West Highland terrier pup.
Among the welcoming party at Lisnafin Park were Stephen's teacher and the headmaster of St Mary's primary school. Parish priest Fr Oliver Crilly was also there as was west Tyrone SDLP assemblyman Eugene McMenamin.
Stephen must return for a review and one more operation for injuries to his shoulder
By Seamus McKinney
A STRABANE schoolboy who was put on a life support machine after sustaining horrific injuries in the Omagh bombing has come home to a hero's welcome.
Stephen Coyle (10) was welcomed with a street party organised by his neighbours and friends when he arrived at his Lisnafin Park home.
So secret were the celebrations that even Stephen's mother and father, Linda and Francis Coyle knew nothing about the arrangements. Only Stephen's sister, Natalie was aware of the planned party.
As Stephen arrived at Lisnafin Park this week after spending a month at Belfast's Royal Victoria hospital, he was greeted by a brass band and a full-scale street party.
Caught up in the bomb which devastated Omagh on August 15, killing 29 people, Stephen sustained multiple injuries with his father who was also caught in the blast
Although he underwent 12 operations during his month in hospital, nothing could have prepared the Strabane 10-year-old for the sight which greeted him on his return home.
Up to 200 people were waiting, including all his school chums and friends from the Lisnafin Park area.
And, there was another surprise for Stephen as his father Francis fulfilled a promise he made to his son as he lay between life and death in Omagh's Tyrone and County hospital.
As doctors waited to transfer Stephen to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast, the Strabane youngster asked his parents to buy him a dog.
"We pleaded and prayed for him to hang on and not to slip away. At that moment I would have given him anything just to keep him alive," Francis recalled.
He was as good as his word and Stephen was presented with an eight-week-old West Highland terrier pup.
Among the welcoming party at Lisnafin Park were Stephen's teacher and the headmaster of St Mary's primary school. Parish priest Fr Oliver Crilly was also there as was west Tyrone SDLP assemblyman Eugene McMenamin.
Stephen must return for a review and one more operation for injuries to his shoulder
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0408
Published Date: 26-Sep-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.