OMAGH MAN PLEDGES TO DRIVE OUT MACKEY
Omagh man pledges to drive out Mackey
EXCLUSIVE
By Steven McCaffery
Victim's promise after blast
A DEVASTATED husband who lost his 'soul mate' in the Omagh bomb blast has promised to push republican councillor Francis Mackey from office.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in August's bombing, has launched a strongly worded attack on Mr Mackey, an Omagh district councillor and chairman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
In a letter in today's Irish News Mr Rush has pledged to "protest vigorously" against Mr Mackey's continuing role in public life.
He described the politician's refusal to condemn the bombing in the aftermath of the blast as "warped" and promised to prevent him playing any part in "anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people".
He added: "Councillor Mackey may have dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however, he shall find no solace or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to - I do not."
Mr Rush, who says he is continuing to come to terms with his bereavement, has nevertheless also launched a fierce campaign to secure the future of services at Tyrone County Hospital - currently the subject of a Western Health and Social Services Board review.
His efforts were recently rewarded with a letter from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who promised him that the "lessons learnt from the terrible events in Omagh" will be considered by the board.
Last night Mr Mackey refused to comment on Mr Rush's resignation demand. Mr Mackey is chairman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, which has been linked to the Real IRA - the group responsible for planting the bomb that claimed 29 lives, killed unborn twins and led to the death of a further man in a related road accident.
"He was not elected on what he is representing now - the 32-County. He was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor," said Mr Rush.
"What right does he have... would he not be honourable now to ask for a mandate from the people.
"He is not speaking for anyone anymore as far as I am concerned."
He said he was angry that Mr Mackey took part in a council reception for Secretary of State Mo Mowlam last week to discuss proposals for Omagh's future.
Alliance councillor Ann Gormley and Labour's Johnny McLaughlin walked out in protest at Mr Mackey's presence. He later rejected their calls for his resignation, describing their demonstration as a stunt.
Mr Rush, however, has encouraged others to join in rejecting Mr Mackey.
"Last Tuesday night this person of no fixed political abode had the gall to accuse Messrs McLaughlin and Gormley of cheap expedient politics. Is there no end to his hypocrisy?," said Mr Rush.
"Not surprisingly their common-sense, dignity and better judgment prevailed on the night. No right thinking human being could relish an engagement with someone who forever shall remain steeped in notoriety in the history books of this town, as the atrocity which was visited upon its people is mulled over and discussed for generations to come."
Mr Rush added: "I wish to state publicly that, for my own part, I shall protest vigorously at this councillor's involvement in anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people and the memory of my dear wife, slaughtered by the military wing of the party he presides over."
Referring to his campaign to save services at Tyrone County Hospital, Mr Rush said: "Without a hospital what is going to happen to the people injured here?
"There are people with missing limbs, children traumatised... we are going to be ferrying to Belfast and Derry for the rest of our lives.
"They are talking about bringing jobs to this area - we should invest in our hospital. We could have nurses and doctors, all the other staff - we could have a factory for caring built-up here. That would be the best tribute to the people of this town."
EXCLUSIVE
By Steven McCaffery
Victim's promise after blast
A DEVASTATED husband who lost his 'soul mate' in the Omagh bomb blast has promised to push republican councillor Francis Mackey from office.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in August's bombing, has launched a strongly worded attack on Mr Mackey, an Omagh district councillor and chairman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
In a letter in today's Irish News Mr Rush has pledged to "protest vigorously" against Mr Mackey's continuing role in public life.
He described the politician's refusal to condemn the bombing in the aftermath of the blast as "warped" and promised to prevent him playing any part in "anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people".
He added: "Councillor Mackey may have dealt a fatal blow to his political career, however, he shall find no solace or sympathy from me. He still has a wife to go home to - I do not."
Mr Rush, who says he is continuing to come to terms with his bereavement, has nevertheless also launched a fierce campaign to secure the future of services at Tyrone County Hospital - currently the subject of a Western Health and Social Services Board review.
His efforts were recently rewarded with a letter from British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who promised him that the "lessons learnt from the terrible events in Omagh" will be considered by the board.
Last night Mr Mackey refused to comment on Mr Rush's resignation demand. Mr Mackey is chairman of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee, which has been linked to the Real IRA - the group responsible for planting the bomb that claimed 29 lives, killed unborn twins and led to the death of a further man in a related road accident.
"He was not elected on what he is representing now - the 32-County. He was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor," said Mr Rush.
"What right does he have... would he not be honourable now to ask for a mandate from the people.
"He is not speaking for anyone anymore as far as I am concerned."
He said he was angry that Mr Mackey took part in a council reception for Secretary of State Mo Mowlam last week to discuss proposals for Omagh's future.
Alliance councillor Ann Gormley and Labour's Johnny McLaughlin walked out in protest at Mr Mackey's presence. He later rejected their calls for his resignation, describing their demonstration as a stunt.
Mr Rush, however, has encouraged others to join in rejecting Mr Mackey.
"Last Tuesday night this person of no fixed political abode had the gall to accuse Messrs McLaughlin and Gormley of cheap expedient politics. Is there no end to his hypocrisy?," said Mr Rush.
"Not surprisingly their common-sense, dignity and better judgment prevailed on the night. No right thinking human being could relish an engagement with someone who forever shall remain steeped in notoriety in the history books of this town, as the atrocity which was visited upon its people is mulled over and discussed for generations to come."
Mr Rush added: "I wish to state publicly that, for my own part, I shall protest vigorously at this councillor's involvement in anything to do with the remembrance of these innocent people and the memory of my dear wife, slaughtered by the military wing of the party he presides over."
Referring to his campaign to save services at Tyrone County Hospital, Mr Rush said: "Without a hospital what is going to happen to the people injured here?
"There are people with missing limbs, children traumatised... we are going to be ferrying to Belfast and Derry for the rest of our lives.
"They are talking about bringing jobs to this area - we should invest in our hospital. We could have nurses and doctors, all the other staff - we could have a factory for caring built-up here. That would be the best tribute to the people of this town."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0442
Published Date: 15-Oct-98
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