IN/0413

Bomb fund expected to reach £12 million
By Seamus McKinney
Hundreds will benefit from huge cash total

THE OMAGH bomb disaster fund should eventually total around £12 million, it emerged yesterday. News of the anticipated total came yesterday at the official launch of the fund in Omagh yesterday, when trustee the Duke of Abercorn suggested that the initiative will become the "most emotional global fund of all time".
Five trustees have been appointed to run the fund, which is expected to continue for two years, providing financial help to all those who suffered as a result of last month's Omagh bombing.
Just 44 days after the August 15 bomb, fund chairman Sean O'Dwyer expected the trustees to have to deal with relatives of the 29 people who lost their lives - as well as two unborn children - and up to 370 people who were injured.
Mr O'Dwyer said the fund, which will be operated from Lisnamallard House in Omagh, would also consider helping up to 2,000 people who were mentally traumatised by the tragedy as well as those from Co Donegal and Spain who also suffered.
He also revealed plans to consider small businesses in Omagh which suffered through the bomb but were unable to claim help from the compensation agency.
"All in all, at this time, with imperfect information, we believe we may end up making payments to a minimum of 450 and possibly as many as 700 beneficiaries," he said.
Along with Derry man Mr O'Dwyer, the other trustees are: Joy McCormick, from Co Donegal; the Duke of Abercorn; Dr Clifford McCord, a retired GP; and Dr Aideen McGinley, chief executive of Fermanagh district council.
Brian Oliphant has been seconded by Omagh district council to act as organiser for the fund.
Fund chairman Mr O'Dwyer revealed that a great many events had already taken place to raise money for the Omagh victims.
So far, £211,000 has been gathered with £46,000 having already been paid out in emergency payments.
Mr O'Dwyer said that a possible £1.5 million had so far been raised but was yet to be collected by the fund.
He said the trustees hoped to act with maximum speed and to keep administration costs to a minimum.
They had been helped in this with the provision of Lisnamallard House as a headquarters and the donation of office equipment free of charge.
Mr O'Dwyer said the trustees intended making distributions to beneficiaries calculated on their assessment of individual need although they would not meet individual beneficiaries.
"In conclusion, the atrocity of the 15th August was a major disaster but we must manage the aftermath as best we can and with all the sensitivity we can apply and this we intend to do.
"Secondly, there is an enormous amount of work that has to be done and we must get on with it and fast," he said.
Dr Aideen McGinley said the trustees wished to ensure that payments from the fund would not impact on payments made to victims by the Compensation Agency, while also creating a lasting memorial to the tragedy victims.
Co-ordinator Mr Oliphant said he hoped a total of £12 million could be eventually raised.
While the money would not be dispersed in equal amounts, Mr Oliphant hoped the fund could reimburse voluntary groups who contributed financially in the immediate aftermath of the bombing.