IN A DAZE THEY WANDER BACK TO OLD ROUTINES
In a daze, they wander back to old routines
Report: Lara Bradley
THE traumatised people of Omagh dusted themselves down and made a brave attempt to get back to normality yesterday.
In a surreal atmosphere, dazed and often tearful shoppers poured into the streets. Most had little desire to buy anything but had come to send a defiant and unified message - this shattered community will not allow itself to be ground down any further.
The town's Chamber of Commerce urged people to return to the town but some traders who could not bring themselves to think of commercial realities kept their shutters down.
Fireman Brian McColgan had helped the maimed and the dying after the bomb. Yesterday he sat silently watching the crowds.
He said: "It is not easy to get on with it but people have stopped speaking in whispers. It is strange to hear noise here again but I feel that shows a wee bit of hope."
The huge steel barrier shielding shoppers from the scene of the blast cast a shadow over staff in Forster Richardson's Jewellers. Two female shop assistants who needed stitches after the blast were too traumatised to speak but regarded themselves as the "lucky ones".
As slabs of glass from the large windows were picked from fine pieces of gold and silver, Mr Richardson showed the warm humour that survives in Omagh despite everything: "We are open today because we have no door to close," he said as a workman struggled to erect a new entrance.
The jeweller only sold a few watch batteries but he wasn't back in business to make money, he was back because "we have to do something to get over this".
Libby Rush, 57, died when the bomb tore through the Pine Emporium shop which she owned and loved so much. Yesterday her husband Lawrence welcomed the efforts traders had made and was pleased the public had turned up in droves to support them.
He lost the woman he fell in love with over 40 years ago but had just one question for the bombers: "What have you gained from this?
"You have gained death and heartache in Omagh but we are still staying and what you are doing is completely useless and obscene
Three shop assistants from Watterson's Drapers also died in week's carnage but yesterday the staff opened the doors in a cautious effort to regain some semblance of normality
Outside the store, Omagh woman Margaret Corrigan cried as she showed her two children a carpet of floral tributes "I came out today show my support for town but reading these messages is terribly sad. I don't know if the town will ever be the same again", she said.
Business and civic leaders met to discuss ways of rebuilding shattered town but there were no easy answers to many of the business people's questions.
Omagh Traders Roy Allen said: "The main problem is obviously guilt. We feel that maybe we shouldn't be open but at the same time the general idea around the town is that everybody wants us to be open."
President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce Michael Gaine appealed to people from around the province to come to Omagh where many business people fear they may go bankrupt.
"The financial side has raised its ugly head now and that is very difficult to deal with. Staff will need wages on Friday and suppliers will need to be paid at the end of the month which is not far away", he said.
Mr Gaine dismissed the idea of attracting bargain hunters with a bomb-damage sale: "It would be an insult and I would rather burn the stuff."
Memories of Enniskillen came back to the surface for Jim Dixon yesterday as he walked through Omagh.
He said: "This was an awful tragedy and the sooner it can be put behind us the better for people's lives and businesses.
"I hope it will give the government the determination to deal with terrorism and not just placate evil men."
US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith signed the book of condolences in Omagh council offices before joining the traders at their meeting.
She said President Clinton remained "very concerned" about the people of Omagh and added: "I hope the people have felt themselves the tremendous concern there is."
Report: Lara Bradley
THE traumatised people of Omagh dusted themselves down and made a brave attempt to get back to normality yesterday.
In a surreal atmosphere, dazed and often tearful shoppers poured into the streets. Most had little desire to buy anything but had come to send a defiant and unified message - this shattered community will not allow itself to be ground down any further.
The town's Chamber of Commerce urged people to return to the town but some traders who could not bring themselves to think of commercial realities kept their shutters down.
Fireman Brian McColgan had helped the maimed and the dying after the bomb. Yesterday he sat silently watching the crowds.
He said: "It is not easy to get on with it but people have stopped speaking in whispers. It is strange to hear noise here again but I feel that shows a wee bit of hope."
The huge steel barrier shielding shoppers from the scene of the blast cast a shadow over staff in Forster Richardson's Jewellers. Two female shop assistants who needed stitches after the blast were too traumatised to speak but regarded themselves as the "lucky ones".
As slabs of glass from the large windows were picked from fine pieces of gold and silver, Mr Richardson showed the warm humour that survives in Omagh despite everything: "We are open today because we have no door to close," he said as a workman struggled to erect a new entrance.
The jeweller only sold a few watch batteries but he wasn't back in business to make money, he was back because "we have to do something to get over this".
Libby Rush, 57, died when the bomb tore through the Pine Emporium shop which she owned and loved so much. Yesterday her husband Lawrence welcomed the efforts traders had made and was pleased the public had turned up in droves to support them.
He lost the woman he fell in love with over 40 years ago but had just one question for the bombers: "What have you gained from this?
"You have gained death and heartache in Omagh but we are still staying and what you are doing is completely useless and obscene
Three shop assistants from Watterson's Drapers also died in week's carnage but yesterday the staff opened the doors in a cautious effort to regain some semblance of normality
Outside the store, Omagh woman Margaret Corrigan cried as she showed her two children a carpet of floral tributes "I came out today show my support for town but reading these messages is terribly sad. I don't know if the town will ever be the same again", she said.
Business and civic leaders met to discuss ways of rebuilding shattered town but there were no easy answers to many of the business people's questions.
Omagh Traders Roy Allen said: "The main problem is obviously guilt. We feel that maybe we shouldn't be open but at the same time the general idea around the town is that everybody wants us to be open."
President of Omagh Chamber of Commerce Michael Gaine appealed to people from around the province to come to Omagh where many business people fear they may go bankrupt.
"The financial side has raised its ugly head now and that is very difficult to deal with. Staff will need wages on Friday and suppliers will need to be paid at the end of the month which is not far away", he said.
Mr Gaine dismissed the idea of attracting bargain hunters with a bomb-damage sale: "It would be an insult and I would rather burn the stuff."
Memories of Enniskillen came back to the surface for Jim Dixon yesterday as he walked through Omagh.
He said: "This was an awful tragedy and the sooner it can be put behind us the better for people's lives and businesses.
"I hope it will give the government the determination to deal with terrorism and not just placate evil men."
US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith signed the book of condolences in Omagh council offices before joining the traders at their meeting.
She said President Clinton remained "very concerned" about the people of Omagh and added: "I hope the people have felt themselves the tremendous concern there is."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/097
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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