QUESTIONS RAISED OVER US POLICE OFFICER'S PLAQUE
Questions raised over US police officer's plaque
A GIFT plaque for Omagh's memorial garden, donated by an American police officer paralysed in a shooting, could be rejected by Omagh District Council.
Police officer Steven McDonald, a campaigner who founded Project Reconciliation in the US, visited Omagh victims after the 1998 bomb.
He was accompanied by the late Rev Mychal Judge, padre to New York Fire Service, and first official victim of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York's
World Trade Centre in 2001.
In May this year, Mr McDonald returned to offer a plaque for the memorial garden.
The News Letter has learned his lawyer, Dennis E A Lynch, has written to Omagh council to express concerns on his client's behalf.
Mr Lynch said in his letter: "On behalf of all those involved with Project Reconciliation, I would respectfully request confirmation of the status of Steven McDonald's request for the plaque to be installed and the specific identity of council members objecting to same," he said.
The plaque states: "We need to resist the temptation of evil distrust and accept the gift from God, of a forgiving and trusting heart. If we do so, the result is the freedom to move forward in life.
"It is with God's gift of authentic freedom, that He shows us the way, to learn from the future, with full knowledge of the past, but without its paralysing bitterness."
Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife Philomena in the Omagh bomb, said he met Mr McDonald on his visit to the town.
"I had a lump in my throat for about four days after I met him. He is an absolutely incredible individual. I just can't find words to explain how I feel about that man.
"He was paralysed from the neck down when he was shot, yet he holds no animosity against the lad who shot him," he said.
"For Omagh District Council to reject the plaque is an absolute disgrace. On what ground was it rejected? It beggars belief," he said.
"Nothing would surprise me, because Omagh District Council is Sinn Fein dominated," he said.
An Omagh District Council spokesman said: "The council received a written request on behalf of Project Reconciliation on July 10, seeking permission to locate a plaque in the Memorial Garden."
A GIFT plaque for Omagh's memorial garden, donated by an American police officer paralysed in a shooting, could be rejected by Omagh District Council.
Police officer Steven McDonald, a campaigner who founded Project Reconciliation in the US, visited Omagh victims after the 1998 bomb.
He was accompanied by the late Rev Mychal Judge, padre to New York Fire Service, and first official victim of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York's
World Trade Centre in 2001.
In May this year, Mr McDonald returned to offer a plaque for the memorial garden.
The News Letter has learned his lawyer, Dennis E A Lynch, has written to Omagh council to express concerns on his client's behalf.
Mr Lynch said in his letter: "On behalf of all those involved with Project Reconciliation, I would respectfully request confirmation of the status of Steven McDonald's request for the plaque to be installed and the specific identity of council members objecting to same," he said.
The plaque states: "We need to resist the temptation of evil distrust and accept the gift from God, of a forgiving and trusting heart. If we do so, the result is the freedom to move forward in life.
"It is with God's gift of authentic freedom, that He shows us the way, to learn from the future, with full knowledge of the past, but without its paralysing bitterness."
Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife Philomena in the Omagh bomb, said he met Mr McDonald on his visit to the town.
"I had a lump in my throat for about four days after I met him. He is an absolutely incredible individual. I just can't find words to explain how I feel about that man.
"He was paralysed from the neck down when he was shot, yet he holds no animosity against the lad who shot him," he said.
"For Omagh District Council to reject the plaque is an absolute disgrace. On what ground was it rejected? It beggars belief," he said.
"Nothing would surprise me, because Omagh District Council is Sinn Fein dominated," he said.
An Omagh District Council spokesman said: "The council received a written request on behalf of Project Reconciliation on July 10, seeking permission to locate a plaque in the Memorial Garden."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/770
Published Date: 18-Jul-08
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