LATE MP BURST INTO TEARS WHEN OMAGH NEWS BROKE
Late MP 'burst into tears' when Omagh news broke
By John Mulgrew
OMAGH bombing campaigner Michael Gallagher has described how the late Ulster Unionist MP William Thompson burst into tears following the bombing in 1998.
Mr Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the dissident republican bomb, had fond memories of the former MP and councillor who died on Sunday aged 71.
"He would have known many of the victims and the families personally [that were] killed and injured. Although he represented one side of the community he was very much part of it all."
Mr Gallagher said the former politician was deeply affected by the atrocity and found it difficult to cope.
"The enormity of the whole thing he found quite difficult. I remember a news report at the leisure centre in Omagh with him - he left the building in tears," he said.
"I knew him well. He was a very quiet and unassuming man and he had strong family values.
"He was someone very normal and reserved - he didn't have the usual traits of many other MPs. I've not known anyone to say anything bad about him," he said.
The outspoken politician enjoyed a long career as a councillor in Omagh and was West Tyrone MP during the Omagh bomb on August 15 1998.
Mr Thompson served as MP until 2001 where he lost his seat to Sinn Fein's Pat Doherty.
Mr Doherty said that although the two were "diametrically opposed in political terms but on a human level I always found him to be courteous".
Often divisive politically, he was one of a number of Ulster Unionists who continued to oppose the introduction of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 despite his party's overall support.
TUV leader Jim Allister paid tribute to Mr Thompson, who was the party's president, and said his thoughts and prayers were with his widow and family.
A former Sinn Fein member who helped Pat Doherty win the West Tyrone seat in 2001 over Mr Thompson remembers him as an "absolute gentleman".
Meanwhile, First Minister Peter Robinson described Mr Thompson as a "principled unionist who stood up for his firm beliefs".
By John Mulgrew
OMAGH bombing campaigner Michael Gallagher has described how the late Ulster Unionist MP William Thompson burst into tears following the bombing in 1998.
Mr Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the dissident republican bomb, had fond memories of the former MP and councillor who died on Sunday aged 71.
"He would have known many of the victims and the families personally [that were] killed and injured. Although he represented one side of the community he was very much part of it all."
Mr Gallagher said the former politician was deeply affected by the atrocity and found it difficult to cope.
"The enormity of the whole thing he found quite difficult. I remember a news report at the leisure centre in Omagh with him - he left the building in tears," he said.
"I knew him well. He was a very quiet and unassuming man and he had strong family values.
"He was someone very normal and reserved - he didn't have the usual traits of many other MPs. I've not known anyone to say anything bad about him," he said.
The outspoken politician enjoyed a long career as a councillor in Omagh and was West Tyrone MP during the Omagh bomb on August 15 1998.
Mr Thompson served as MP until 2001 where he lost his seat to Sinn Fein's Pat Doherty.
Mr Doherty said that although the two were "diametrically opposed in political terms but on a human level I always found him to be courteous".
Often divisive politically, he was one of a number of Ulster Unionists who continued to oppose the introduction of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 despite his party's overall support.
TUV leader Jim Allister paid tribute to Mr Thompson, who was the party's president, and said his thoughts and prayers were with his widow and family.
A former Sinn Fein member who helped Pat Doherty win the West Tyrone seat in 2001 over Mr Thompson remembers him as an "absolute gentleman".
Meanwhile, First Minister Peter Robinson described Mr Thompson as a "principled unionist who stood up for his firm beliefs".
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/1040
Published Date: 14-Dec-10
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