RED CROSS HONOURS COURAGE OF OMAGH
Red Cross honours courage of Omagh
By Paul McKillion
THE people of Omagh were yesterday given special recognition for their work in supporting the injured, traumatised and bereaved in the aftermath of the August bomb.
They received the 'Care in Crisis' Red Cross award which broke with its tradition of awarding it to a single person. The award recognises those "who have given practical or emotional support to people in an emergency or a crisis."
David Bolton, a director at Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust, John McKinney, chief executive of Omagh district council and Glenys Henry, clinical services manager at Omagh Hospital were flown out to the ceremony at the Hilton in central London.
Mr McKinney spoke beforehand about the devastation in Omagh and the town's recovery since.
He said: "It is still very close to people's minds undoubtedly, but people are looking to the future.
"The effects of the bomb are very visible and the fact that the buildings are still in disarray and that you see people with disabilities as a result of it. People can't get away from it.
"But people are starting to pick up the pieces."
Mr Bolton added: "The timing of this is very important as it comes three months after the event when we thought the rest of the world had forgotten. It is an encouragement to the people of Omagh.
"Everyone in the whole of the British Isles have been very generous and kind."
In Omagh yesterday independent councillor Paddy McGowan said he was "overwhelmed and delighted" at the town's award. He said: "It is right and proper that all the people of Omagh are being recognised for the work they did that day.
"When I looked around at the scene there were hundreds of ordinary people who did not shy away from what they saw and immediately did everything they could to help the emergency services deal with the atrocity."
Queen's University postgraduate student Hussein Khadhum was also honoured for quick thinking, uncommon bravery and "almost superhuman strength" when he saved two sisters from a blazing flat in south Belfast in August.
By Paul McKillion
THE people of Omagh were yesterday given special recognition for their work in supporting the injured, traumatised and bereaved in the aftermath of the August bomb.
They received the 'Care in Crisis' Red Cross award which broke with its tradition of awarding it to a single person. The award recognises those "who have given practical or emotional support to people in an emergency or a crisis."
David Bolton, a director at Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust, John McKinney, chief executive of Omagh district council and Glenys Henry, clinical services manager at Omagh Hospital were flown out to the ceremony at the Hilton in central London.
Mr McKinney spoke beforehand about the devastation in Omagh and the town's recovery since.
He said: "It is still very close to people's minds undoubtedly, but people are looking to the future.
"The effects of the bomb are very visible and the fact that the buildings are still in disarray and that you see people with disabilities as a result of it. People can't get away from it.
"But people are starting to pick up the pieces."
Mr Bolton added: "The timing of this is very important as it comes three months after the event when we thought the rest of the world had forgotten. It is an encouragement to the people of Omagh.
"Everyone in the whole of the British Isles have been very generous and kind."
In Omagh yesterday independent councillor Paddy McGowan said he was "overwhelmed and delighted" at the town's award. He said: "It is right and proper that all the people of Omagh are being recognised for the work they did that day.
"When I looked around at the scene there were hundreds of ordinary people who did not shy away from what they saw and immediately did everything they could to help the emergency services deal with the atrocity."
Queen's University postgraduate student Hussein Khadhum was also honoured for quick thinking, uncommon bravery and "almost superhuman strength" when he saved two sisters from a blazing flat in south Belfast in August.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0472
Published Date: 13-Nov-98
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