FAMILY IN TRAUMATIC OVERNIGHT WAIT BEFORE WORST FEARS REALISED
Family in traumatic overnight wait before worst fears realised
A 57-year-old local businesswoman was among those who is thought to have died instantaneously when the bomb exploded shortly after three o'clock, although her family had a traumatic overnight wait to have their worst fears realised.
Elizabeth (Libbi) Rush is believed to have stepped outside the doors of her Pine Emporium, the former Libbi's Coffee Shop, to see what was causing the commotion in Market Street, when the 500lb bomb was detonated.
Mrs. Rush, a mother of two sons and a daughter, and a grandmother of three, was a native of the area. She was a member of the McCullagh family of Killyclogher, and her mother, Ellen, survives her.
She is survived, too, by her husband, Laurence, the well-known Omagh businessman, and her daughter, Siobhan, and sons, Anthony and Andrew.
The family live at Michael Street in the town, although Andrew was in America at the time.
Mr. Rush, who described the bombers as animals, said Libbi was not only his wife, but his soulmate and friend.
He continued: "They have not only destroyed my wife, they have destroyed my life. If they get a life sentence, I have started mine now ... and I won't get any parole."
Mr. Hugh Slevin, who is married to Mr. Rush's sister, Joan, told the 'Constitution' Mrs. Rush had been working as normal on Saturday afternoon, and had not been seen again in the aftermath of the explosion.
"'She was a much-loved member of the family circle, a quiet, unassuming person, a good mother, and tremendous grandmother, who was totally devoted to her husband and family," said Mr. Slevin. who now lives in Cookstown but is a member of the local chemist family.
He told how he made his way to Omagh on Saturday afternoon, as his brother-in-law had been out of town on business.
"Laurence got back about five in the afternoon. By then we had made exhaustive enquiries as to Libbi's possible whereabouts, but in the chaos which ensued, with the telephone lines down, and the security arrangements which were immediately put in place, we had drawn a blank." said Mr. Slevin.
Many of the family then went to Tyrone County Hospital, hoping Mrs. Rush was already a patient, or that her name would appeal among the injured, he added.
Mr. Slevin went on: "We finally assumed the worst in the late hours of Saturday evening, and some of the family transferred to Omagh Leisure Complex, while some remained at the hospital.
"We wanted to keep every avenue of information open, and I have to say that [council chief executive] John McKinney and his staff were tremendous."
The Rush family lost all hope in the early hours of Sunday, according to Mr. Slevin.
"And then, about 11am, the police informed us that they had a body which might be Libbi's. At 2.30 a formal identification was made in the temporary morgue at Lisanelly camp." he revealed.
"Words fail me, they cannot begin to describe the situation in this town," concluded Mr. Slevin.
Another member of the Rush family circle, said on Monday morning, that Mr. Rush was 'still in deep shock but in control', thanks to his many relations and friends who were supporting him.
One of those engaged in the all-night vigil for Mrs. Rush paid wholesome tribute to the those who staffed the incident centre at the leisure Complex.
But first he said: "The sea of grief in the complex throughout Saturday evening and Sunday morning should never again be witnessed anywhere in Ireland.
"Families were huddled together in small groups with fear and grief in their eyes, and yet there was also a spark of eternal hope.
"But that began to seep away, turning quietly to despair, although the families were being comforted by clergy from both sides of the religious divide, politicians from both sides and friends.
"The attitude and approach of Mr. McKinney, his staff, social services, the police and reserve forces, and the medical people was all so professional, and it was all so quickly organised, and maintained throughout the night."
A 57-year-old local businesswoman was among those who is thought to have died instantaneously when the bomb exploded shortly after three o'clock, although her family had a traumatic overnight wait to have their worst fears realised.
Elizabeth (Libbi) Rush is believed to have stepped outside the doors of her Pine Emporium, the former Libbi's Coffee Shop, to see what was causing the commotion in Market Street, when the 500lb bomb was detonated.
Mrs. Rush, a mother of two sons and a daughter, and a grandmother of three, was a native of the area. She was a member of the McCullagh family of Killyclogher, and her mother, Ellen, survives her.
She is survived, too, by her husband, Laurence, the well-known Omagh businessman, and her daughter, Siobhan, and sons, Anthony and Andrew.
The family live at Michael Street in the town, although Andrew was in America at the time.
Mr. Rush, who described the bombers as animals, said Libbi was not only his wife, but his soulmate and friend.
He continued: "They have not only destroyed my wife, they have destroyed my life. If they get a life sentence, I have started mine now ... and I won't get any parole."
Mr. Hugh Slevin, who is married to Mr. Rush's sister, Joan, told the 'Constitution' Mrs. Rush had been working as normal on Saturday afternoon, and had not been seen again in the aftermath of the explosion.
"'She was a much-loved member of the family circle, a quiet, unassuming person, a good mother, and tremendous grandmother, who was totally devoted to her husband and family," said Mr. Slevin. who now lives in Cookstown but is a member of the local chemist family.
He told how he made his way to Omagh on Saturday afternoon, as his brother-in-law had been out of town on business.
"Laurence got back about five in the afternoon. By then we had made exhaustive enquiries as to Libbi's possible whereabouts, but in the chaos which ensued, with the telephone lines down, and the security arrangements which were immediately put in place, we had drawn a blank." said Mr. Slevin.
Many of the family then went to Tyrone County Hospital, hoping Mrs. Rush was already a patient, or that her name would appeal among the injured, he added.
Mr. Slevin went on: "We finally assumed the worst in the late hours of Saturday evening, and some of the family transferred to Omagh Leisure Complex, while some remained at the hospital.
"We wanted to keep every avenue of information open, and I have to say that [council chief executive] John McKinney and his staff were tremendous."
The Rush family lost all hope in the early hours of Sunday, according to Mr. Slevin.
"And then, about 11am, the police informed us that they had a body which might be Libbi's. At 2.30 a formal identification was made in the temporary morgue at Lisanelly camp." he revealed.
"Words fail me, they cannot begin to describe the situation in this town," concluded Mr. Slevin.
Another member of the Rush family circle, said on Monday morning, that Mr. Rush was 'still in deep shock but in control', thanks to his many relations and friends who were supporting him.
One of those engaged in the all-night vigil for Mrs. Rush paid wholesome tribute to the those who staffed the incident centre at the leisure Complex.
But first he said: "The sea of grief in the complex throughout Saturday evening and Sunday morning should never again be witnessed anywhere in Ireland.
"Families were huddled together in small groups with fear and grief in their eyes, and yet there was also a spark of eternal hope.
"But that began to seep away, turning quietly to despair, although the families were being comforted by clergy from both sides of the religious divide, politicians from both sides and friends.
"The attitude and approach of Mr. McKinney, his staff, social services, the police and reserve forces, and the medical people was all so professional, and it was all so quickly organised, and maintained throughout the night."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0055
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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