BANGERS BRING BACK BOMB HORROR
Bangers bring back bomb horror
By IAN STARRETT
BANGER-style fireworks are bringing back the horror of the Omagh bomb to survivors.
Residents in the blitzed Tyrone town want an immediate blanket ban on the bangers to stop them having to nightly relive the trauma of Northern Ireland's worst terrorist atrocity.
And yesterday they urged those who already possess illegal bangers to stop using them to frighten the nerve-shattered community that is still trying to come to terms with the tragic events of last month.
Omagh RUC has backed the local residents call for youthful pranksters to stop letting off the loud fireworks.
Conor McCartan, a senior clinical psychologist at the Sperrin Lakeland Trust, said yesterday that the noise of the bangers was causing distress to those who were caught up in the August I5 attack which has claimed the lives of 29 people and injured hundreds more.
Mr McCartan said that the noise of the exploding bangers could evoke memories of the real IRA bombing.
"I think that it could do a lot of harm in the aftermath of the bomb.' said Mr McCartan.
The Northern Ireland Office has published a booklet, The Law on Fire works, reminding the general public and traders of the law in relation to the sale and ownership of fire works and bangers.
The booklet reminds traders that the sale of fireworks and bangers to anyone under the age of 16 is a criminal offence.
By IAN STARRETT
BANGER-style fireworks are bringing back the horror of the Omagh bomb to survivors.
Residents in the blitzed Tyrone town want an immediate blanket ban on the bangers to stop them having to nightly relive the trauma of Northern Ireland's worst terrorist atrocity.
And yesterday they urged those who already possess illegal bangers to stop using them to frighten the nerve-shattered community that is still trying to come to terms with the tragic events of last month.
Omagh RUC has backed the local residents call for youthful pranksters to stop letting off the loud fireworks.
Conor McCartan, a senior clinical psychologist at the Sperrin Lakeland Trust, said yesterday that the noise of the bangers was causing distress to those who were caught up in the August I5 attack which has claimed the lives of 29 people and injured hundreds more.
Mr McCartan said that the noise of the exploding bangers could evoke memories of the real IRA bombing.
"I think that it could do a lot of harm in the aftermath of the bomb.' said Mr McCartan.
The Northern Ireland Office has published a booklet, The Law on Fire works, reminding the general public and traders of the law in relation to the sale and ownership of fire works and bangers.
The booklet reminds traders that the sale of fireworks and bangers to anyone under the age of 16 is a criminal offence.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/316
Published Date: 24-Sep-98
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