ULSTER EXPRESSES ITS CONDOLENCES
Citizens' chance to convey their sorrow its condolences
BY SIMON HUNTER
s.hunter@newsletter.co.uk
THE Lord Mayor of Belfast spoke yesterday of how Thursday's terrorist attacks in London reminded him of the darkest days of the Troubles.
Opening a book of condolences at the City Hall, Cllr Wallace Browne said: "I would wish to send our deepest sympathy to the people of London who faced a most vile terrorist attack.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all victims and their families.
"We faced years of terrorist attacks across Northern Ireland with thousands of people losing their lives.
"We therefore can empathise with the plight that the citizens of London now face. The greatest lesson learned was that despite sustained efforts from those wishing to inflict optimum mayhem, we must never falter."
In Londonderry, Mayor Lynn Fleming also opened a book of condolences, at the Guildhall.
She said: "We were all deeply shocked by what has happened, and it is an opportunity for the city to offer our support and condolences to those affected by the terrible events.
Castlereagh Mayor Tommy Jeffers opened a book of condolences at Forestside Shopping Centre, where it will remain for a week before being sent to London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Ballymoney Mayor Cecil Cousley said he had written to Mr Livingstone, expressing the sympathy of the citizens of the borough.
He said: "Like communities elsewhere, we are greatly shocked and sickened at the devastation in the city of London, as terrorists struck in characteristically cowardly fashion when innocent people were going about their daily business.
"I hope it will be of some comfort to them to know the thoughts of the Council and the citizens of Ballymoney Borough are with the families of those killed and injured."
Liburn Mayor, Cllr Jonathan Craig, said: "On behalf of Lisburn City Council and the citizens of the city of Lisburn, I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy for the victims of these horrific attacks and to extend our thoughts to the families and friends of those who have been killed or injured."
BY LESLEY WALSH
l.walsh@newsletter.co.uk
AS London's bomb survivors struggle with the terrible aftermath of their ordeal, one young Ulsterwoman touched by the hand of terrorists is proof that good can overcome evil. "You can't let the terrorists win," said Donna Marie McGillion, who was 22 when the Omagh bomb left her with horrific facial injuries. "You have to prevail and to prove that good will always conquer evil." Donna Marie, who is now 29 and married to Garry also an Omagh victim, believes that although there will be many ups and downs to come for the survivors, there is still hope.
Six months after the Co Tyrone horror, Donna Marie and Garry got married and four years ago, presented their baby daughter, Cara, to the world, as one of those symbols of hope. Donna Marie was in a coma for six and a half weeks following the IRA atrocity in 1998 and had to wear a transparent mask, designed to help her facial burns heal better, for nearly three years.
"When I first woke up my mum and Garry told me I had injuries to my face but it wasn't until I saw it that I realised the horror of it all," she said.
"Initially I thought, oh my God, what am I going to do but that only lasted for about a half a day.
"Garry said you're comfortable within yourself and that's all that matters and I knew that my family and friends weren't going to look at me any differently. If they could cope looking at me like that, then I could.
"I wouldn't say it didn't depress me at times. There were times I would get very down and would think why did this happen to me, why my face, but that would only last maybe half an hour.
"I thought to myself, I have to get out of this and my main reason was that I wasn't going to let the terrorists beat me.
"If I sat in the corner then not only would that affect me but also my family and friends. The terrorists interrupted my life, they didn't ruin it. They took 31 lives in Omagh, they weren't going to take another one."
Able to empathise with the London victims more than most, Donna Marie's story proves the old cliche - that time is indeed a great healer.
"For those people in London right now support is so important. The patients go through all the pain but their families are also in complete turmoil too.
"It will be a long haul for them: it's taken seven years for me, and me and Garry are still getting treatment at hospital and to some extent, part of our lives will be classed as disabled.
"There are going to be highs and lows but I would say to them, do what their doctors tell them.
"If they tell them to cream their burns four times a day, do and if they have to wear a mask 24 hours a day, then wear it because it's so important.
"You may not want to now, but in years to come you'll be thankful you did. Take the help and support that's offered and if they need trauma counselling, they should take it because it's so beneficial and it helped me and Garry."
BY SIMON HUNTER
s.hunter@newsletter.co.uk
THE Lord Mayor of Belfast spoke yesterday of how Thursday's terrorist attacks in London reminded him of the darkest days of the Troubles.
Opening a book of condolences at the City Hall, Cllr Wallace Browne said: "I would wish to send our deepest sympathy to the people of London who faced a most vile terrorist attack.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all victims and their families.
"We faced years of terrorist attacks across Northern Ireland with thousands of people losing their lives.
"We therefore can empathise with the plight that the citizens of London now face. The greatest lesson learned was that despite sustained efforts from those wishing to inflict optimum mayhem, we must never falter."
In Londonderry, Mayor Lynn Fleming also opened a book of condolences, at the Guildhall.
She said: "We were all deeply shocked by what has happened, and it is an opportunity for the city to offer our support and condolences to those affected by the terrible events.
Castlereagh Mayor Tommy Jeffers opened a book of condolences at Forestside Shopping Centre, where it will remain for a week before being sent to London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Ballymoney Mayor Cecil Cousley said he had written to Mr Livingstone, expressing the sympathy of the citizens of the borough.
He said: "Like communities elsewhere, we are greatly shocked and sickened at the devastation in the city of London, as terrorists struck in characteristically cowardly fashion when innocent people were going about their daily business.
"I hope it will be of some comfort to them to know the thoughts of the Council and the citizens of Ballymoney Borough are with the families of those killed and injured."
Liburn Mayor, Cllr Jonathan Craig, said: "On behalf of Lisburn City Council and the citizens of the city of Lisburn, I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy for the victims of these horrific attacks and to extend our thoughts to the families and friends of those who have been killed or injured."
BY LESLEY WALSH
l.walsh@newsletter.co.uk
AS London's bomb survivors struggle with the terrible aftermath of their ordeal, one young Ulsterwoman touched by the hand of terrorists is proof that good can overcome evil. "You can't let the terrorists win," said Donna Marie McGillion, who was 22 when the Omagh bomb left her with horrific facial injuries. "You have to prevail and to prove that good will always conquer evil." Donna Marie, who is now 29 and married to Garry also an Omagh victim, believes that although there will be many ups and downs to come for the survivors, there is still hope.
Six months after the Co Tyrone horror, Donna Marie and Garry got married and four years ago, presented their baby daughter, Cara, to the world, as one of those symbols of hope. Donna Marie was in a coma for six and a half weeks following the IRA atrocity in 1998 and had to wear a transparent mask, designed to help her facial burns heal better, for nearly three years.
"When I first woke up my mum and Garry told me I had injuries to my face but it wasn't until I saw it that I realised the horror of it all," she said.
"Initially I thought, oh my God, what am I going to do but that only lasted for about a half a day.
"Garry said you're comfortable within yourself and that's all that matters and I knew that my family and friends weren't going to look at me any differently. If they could cope looking at me like that, then I could.
"I wouldn't say it didn't depress me at times. There were times I would get very down and would think why did this happen to me, why my face, but that would only last maybe half an hour.
"I thought to myself, I have to get out of this and my main reason was that I wasn't going to let the terrorists beat me.
"If I sat in the corner then not only would that affect me but also my family and friends. The terrorists interrupted my life, they didn't ruin it. They took 31 lives in Omagh, they weren't going to take another one."
Able to empathise with the London victims more than most, Donna Marie's story proves the old cliche - that time is indeed a great healer.
"For those people in London right now support is so important. The patients go through all the pain but their families are also in complete turmoil too.
"It will be a long haul for them: it's taken seven years for me, and me and Garry are still getting treatment at hospital and to some extent, part of our lives will be classed as disabled.
"There are going to be highs and lows but I would say to them, do what their doctors tell them.
"If they tell them to cream their burns four times a day, do and if they have to wear a mask 24 hours a day, then wear it because it's so important.
"You may not want to now, but in years to come you'll be thankful you did. Take the help and support that's offered and if they need trauma counselling, they should take it because it's so beneficial and it helped me and Garry."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/616
Published Date: 09-Jul-05
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