LAST MINUTE CHANGE OF PLAN DEFUSES OMAGH PROTESTS
Last-minute change of plan defuses Omagh protests
THE Queen stopped off at the site of the Omagh bombing atrocity today in a last-minute itinerary change which averted a major row threatening to overshadow her Golden Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland.
Officials hurriedly made plans for her to visit the street where the Real IRA murdered 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, after furious protests to senior civil servants in Belfast.
Michael Gallagher, a father of one of the victims and who met the Queen later declared: "This will send out a powerful message that the people in high places have not forgotten Omagh, and are standing with the people affected who will be very encouraged by this."
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelled to Omagh to visit the town's library and meet charity officials and regeneration groups.
But there had been no plans to go the bomb site, or the memorial garden close by, even though she was passing on her way to lunch at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn at Baronscourt, 10 miles away.
Protests, including one from Mr Gallagher, were lodged with the Northern Ireland Office which helped prepare arrangements for the visit.
But then there was a change of plan. Buckingham Palace confirmed "a last-minute decision" in recognition of what happened in Omagh.
Politicians on all sides in Omagh claimed the Queen's visit would have been overshadowed completely had she not stopped off, and blamed her advisers.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan in the bombing, telephoned the Northern Ireland Office just ahead of the Queen's visit to express his disgust at the original itinerary.
He later met her with other Omagh relatives at a garden party at Loughry Agriculture College, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
He said the last-minute decision had avoided the visit being clouded by controversy.
Speaking after meeting the Queen, Mr Gallagher said: "The people that advised on this visit weren't in touch with the people directly affected in Omagh.
"It would have thrown some sort of shadow over this visit if she hadn't gone to the bomb site."
Mr Gallagher said it was vital that Royal visitors met people like him, there was "a movement in Northern Ireland to try to ignore the past".
It would be nice if members of the Royal family could "come back and just visit victims".
He said she had been "sympathetic and very understanding" after asking how his son had been caught up in the bombing and being told Aidan had been out shopping for a pair of jeans.
Mr Gallagher said there was no doubt why the Queen had gone to Omagh - because of the bombing - and it would have been wrong and misguided for her not to have visited the site.
THE Queen stopped off at the site of the Omagh bombing atrocity today in a last-minute itinerary change which averted a major row threatening to overshadow her Golden Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland.
Officials hurriedly made plans for her to visit the street where the Real IRA murdered 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, after furious protests to senior civil servants in Belfast.
Michael Gallagher, a father of one of the victims and who met the Queen later declared: "This will send out a powerful message that the people in high places have not forgotten Omagh, and are standing with the people affected who will be very encouraged by this."
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelled to Omagh to visit the town's library and meet charity officials and regeneration groups.
But there had been no plans to go the bomb site, or the memorial garden close by, even though she was passing on her way to lunch at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn at Baronscourt, 10 miles away.
Protests, including one from Mr Gallagher, were lodged with the Northern Ireland Office which helped prepare arrangements for the visit.
But then there was a change of plan. Buckingham Palace confirmed "a last-minute decision" in recognition of what happened in Omagh.
Politicians on all sides in Omagh claimed the Queen's visit would have been overshadowed completely had she not stopped off, and blamed her advisers.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan in the bombing, telephoned the Northern Ireland Office just ahead of the Queen's visit to express his disgust at the original itinerary.
He later met her with other Omagh relatives at a garden party at Loughry Agriculture College, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
He said the last-minute decision had avoided the visit being clouded by controversy.
Speaking after meeting the Queen, Mr Gallagher said: "The people that advised on this visit weren't in touch with the people directly affected in Omagh.
"It would have thrown some sort of shadow over this visit if she hadn't gone to the bomb site."
Mr Gallagher said it was vital that Royal visitors met people like him, there was "a movement in Northern Ireland to try to ignore the past".
It would be nice if members of the Royal family could "come back and just visit victims".
He said she had been "sympathetic and very understanding" after asking how his son had been caught up in the bombing and being told Aidan had been out shopping for a pair of jeans.
Mr Gallagher said there was no doubt why the Queen had gone to Omagh - because of the bombing - and it would have been wrong and misguided for her not to have visited the site.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0556
Published Date: 15-May-02
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