IN/0475

Omagh fund falls far short of hopes
By Seamus McKinney

HOPES that the Omagh bomb fund could raise £12 million for victims of the August atrocity appear to be floundering with news that only £860,000 has been paid into the coffers to date.
While approximately £1 million has yet to be gathered from events which have already taken place, three months after the bombing which claimed 29 lives, the £12 million target set by fund manager Brian Oliphant appears to be in doubt.
Chairman of the fund, Derry businessman Sean O'Dwyer, said £5 million was a more realistic target although contributions to date would indicate there could be difficulties in reaching even that figure.
Now the trustees of the fund, who include the Duke of Abercorn, are hoping a new CD to be released tomorrow will help raise contributions.
Speaking on the eve of a meeting between Prime Minister Tony Blair and victims of the August 15 bombing. Mr O'Dwyer revealed that some of the top names in the music industry had contributed to the CD.
To be launched in London, Across the Bridge of Hope will feature music by U2, Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison and the Corrs among others.
Hollywood film star, Liam Neeson, a native of Ballymena, will read a poignant verse written by Sean McLaughlin shortly before the 12-year-old Buncrana boy lost his life in the bombing.
Set up with the help of Omagh council and other statutory agencies, the bomb fund aims to provide direct help to the hundreds of victims of the tragedy.
Mr O'Dwyer said he had approached the government for financial help as he felt it was his duty as chairman to do so. He was told the government had never contributed directly to such funds in the past.
Revealing that £440,000 had been paid out to victims to date, the Derry businessman said financial aid had been distributed to both Irish and Spanish victims of the atrocity.
Two of the 29 victims were from Spain. Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and Rocio Abad Ramos (23), both from Madrid, were visiting Omagh when the bomb went off. Up to 18 of their friends - who had been staying in Buncrana, Co Donegal - were also injured in the blast.
Mr O'Dwyer stressed that the Omagh bomb fund was completely independent of applications for aid from the Compensation Agency.
He also revealed that huge amounts of money - up to £1 million - had yet to be submitted to the fund from events organised following the tragedy.
These included a sum estimated to be in excess of £300,000 raised in a golf classic organised by Darren Clarke as well as a substantial sum raised through an appeal run by RTE's Late Late Show.
Families of the Omagh dead as well as many of those injured appeared on Friday's Late Late Show.
Meantime, Omagh SDLP assembly member, Joe Byrne has called on the Compensation Agency to speed up processing of claims by business owners.
Mr Byrne, who is also a member of Omagh council, highlighted the plight of tenant business owners in particular.
"They should not have to wait until the Compensation Agency agrees compensation to be paid for buildings destroyed," he said.
Mr Byrne said he was aware of small business owners who were "suffering severe financial hardship" because of the delay.