VICTIMS OF BOMB SHOCKED AT SURVEY
Victims of bomb shocked at survey
A HEALTH trust was yesterday accused of crass in-sensitivity after it sent out questionnaires addressed to some of those killed in the Omagh bombing. The Sperrin Lakeland Trust sent letters to thousands of people asking details on how they were affected by the August 15 bomb in which 29 people died. Questions on the survey asked if people had seen severed limbs and mutilated bodies.
The trust last night apologised to the grieving families who had received letters.
One question asked: "Did you see horrible things such as severely disfigured people or limbs lying on the street?" Another asked: "Did you think you were going to die?"
Lawrence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in the Real IRA attack, said he was astonished to find an envelope with his wife's name on it.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "When I read some of the questions I just felt physically sick. All that was left of Libby was half her face and her shoulder blade. And I get a letter addressed to her asking disgusting questions about limbs lying in the street."
The questionnaire was delivered to every adult on the electoral register for the Omagh district as part of a study into the wider impact of the bomb.
The trust said to remove names from the mailing list would have been a breach of confidentiality and in contravention of the data protection legislation.
A statement said: "It is acknowledged that the study could be upsetting for some of those affected by the bomb, but in the wider interest of everyone affected, and in particular those who had not yet presented for help, the trust felt it should proceed with the study."
Mick Grimes, whose wife Mary, daughter Avril and granddaughter Maura were killed, said the survey only added to the heartache.
He said: "I don't see why it was necessary to send them to the people most affected by the bomb.
"Anyone who lost someone, or was injured, is bound to be upset by them."
A HEALTH trust was yesterday accused of crass in-sensitivity after it sent out questionnaires addressed to some of those killed in the Omagh bombing. The Sperrin Lakeland Trust sent letters to thousands of people asking details on how they were affected by the August 15 bomb in which 29 people died. Questions on the survey asked if people had seen severed limbs and mutilated bodies.
The trust last night apologised to the grieving families who had received letters.
One question asked: "Did you see horrible things such as severely disfigured people or limbs lying on the street?" Another asked: "Did you think you were going to die?"
Lawrence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed in the Real IRA attack, said he was astonished to find an envelope with his wife's name on it.
"I couldn't believe it," he said. "When I read some of the questions I just felt physically sick. All that was left of Libby was half her face and her shoulder blade. And I get a letter addressed to her asking disgusting questions about limbs lying in the street."
The questionnaire was delivered to every adult on the electoral register for the Omagh district as part of a study into the wider impact of the bomb.
The trust said to remove names from the mailing list would have been a breach of confidentiality and in contravention of the data protection legislation.
A statement said: "It is acknowledged that the study could be upsetting for some of those affected by the bomb, but in the wider interest of everyone affected, and in particular those who had not yet presented for help, the trust felt it should proceed with the study."
Mick Grimes, whose wife Mary, daughter Avril and granddaughter Maura were killed, said the survey only added to the heartache.
He said: "I don't see why it was necessary to send them to the people most affected by the bomb.
"Anyone who lost someone, or was injured, is bound to be upset by them."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH TIMES
Ref: IT/381
Published Date: 24-Mar-99
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