OMAGH BOMB FAILS TO HALT VISITORS FROM FLOODING IN
Omagh bomb fails to halt visitors from flooding in
By STAFF REPORTER
AN Australian couple were filled with sadness as they watched the tragedy of Omagh unfold on their television screens just over a week ago.
But the 500lb car bomb that devastated the Co Tyrone town in no way deterred Jessica and Mohan Gnanadickam from going ahead with their much anticipated trip to Northern Ireland.
"We heard about the bomb shortly after it happened, everyone was so concerned. They were worried that it had occurred and that we were travelling to Ireland but we had no fears because we have been here before," said Jessica.
Her husband, Mohan, said: "I was absolutely let down when I heard about it. We have followed the peace process all the way through and I felt angry when it happened."
The Sydney couple are not the only ones who went ahead with plans to visit the Province because this week another 78 people will arrive in Northern Ireland for short breaks.
They will be flying in from America, India, Switzerland, England, Germany, Scotland, Turkey and Eire for the wedding of Anita Bharucha, daughter of Hoshang Bharucha, the consultant pathologist at the Royal who urged people to vote "Yes" in the referendum, and Peter Stewart, son of the renowned historian A T Q Stewart.
Thankan Rangala, from Boston, who read about the Omagh atrocity in the American newspapers said: "It was sad that the bomb occurred at a time when Northern Ireland was moving forward into a period of peace."
She said that although news of the bomb filled her with concern, she never doubted making her first trip to Ulster.
"Now I am here I find it amazing that everything is so beautiful and peaceful," she said.
Chitra Bharucha, mother of the bride-to-be and deputy chief-executive of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, was on call the weekend of the Omagh blast and her initial concern was not how it would affect the wedding guest list but for the level of blood supplies in hospitals across Northern Ireland.
However, any fears the Bharucha family had about their daughter's wedding were soon alleviated as the foreign guests all telephoned to confirm they were still attending as news of the bomb filtered through.
"I think it is wonderful there are so many people prepared to support us in spite of what they have seen on the television," she said.
By STAFF REPORTER
AN Australian couple were filled with sadness as they watched the tragedy of Omagh unfold on their television screens just over a week ago.
But the 500lb car bomb that devastated the Co Tyrone town in no way deterred Jessica and Mohan Gnanadickam from going ahead with their much anticipated trip to Northern Ireland.
"We heard about the bomb shortly after it happened, everyone was so concerned. They were worried that it had occurred and that we were travelling to Ireland but we had no fears because we have been here before," said Jessica.
Her husband, Mohan, said: "I was absolutely let down when I heard about it. We have followed the peace process all the way through and I felt angry when it happened."
The Sydney couple are not the only ones who went ahead with plans to visit the Province because this week another 78 people will arrive in Northern Ireland for short breaks.
They will be flying in from America, India, Switzerland, England, Germany, Scotland, Turkey and Eire for the wedding of Anita Bharucha, daughter of Hoshang Bharucha, the consultant pathologist at the Royal who urged people to vote "Yes" in the referendum, and Peter Stewart, son of the renowned historian A T Q Stewart.
Thankan Rangala, from Boston, who read about the Omagh atrocity in the American newspapers said: "It was sad that the bomb occurred at a time when Northern Ireland was moving forward into a period of peace."
She said that although news of the bomb filled her with concern, she never doubted making her first trip to Ulster.
"Now I am here I find it amazing that everything is so beautiful and peaceful," she said.
Chitra Bharucha, mother of the bride-to-be and deputy chief-executive of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, was on call the weekend of the Omagh blast and her initial concern was not how it would affect the wedding guest list but for the level of blood supplies in hospitals across Northern Ireland.
However, any fears the Bharucha family had about their daughter's wedding were soon alleviated as the foreign guests all telephoned to confirm they were still attending as news of the bomb filtered through.
"I think it is wonderful there are so many people prepared to support us in spite of what they have seen on the television," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/116
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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