WHY DID GOD LEAVE ME AND TAKE LITTLE CHILDREN?
Why did God leave me and take little children?'
Enniskillen, McGurk's and Shankill victims rally round
SURVIVORS of Enniskillen, McGurk's Bar and the Shankhill bombings have been experiencing terrible flashbacks following the tragedy in Omagh, according to support services.
Mrs Mina Wardle, director of The Shankhill Stress and Trauma Group, said she had taken on extra staff to cope with calls which had been flooding in from all over Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, staff who were involved in the Shankhill bombs have been encouraged to take time off work, because of painful memories that would be brought back by the Province's latest atrocity.
Mrs Wardle revealed that one old woman called to ask: "Why did God let me live, and take little children away?"
"People have experienced a revision of their own horror. Some even feel guilty, as each person hoped their own terrible experience would be the last one," she said.
"These people can relate to the girl in the video footage, who was seen reeling around in the middle of the street, not knowing where she was going or what she was doing.
"Everybody identifies with that girl, and people have been asking about her and wishing her well."
Realising that a large number of Omagh people are in Belfast hospitals, the Shankhill group has offered practical help by providing respite accommodation for families at the centre.
"There is nothing worse than families sitting in hospitals, so we are providing them with a place where they can be alone, get their thoughts together, and rest," said Mrs Wardle.
Sandra Peake, co-ordinator of WAVE in Belfast, has also received calls from people involved in previous atrocities, although one or two people who were at the scene in Omagh have already been in touch.
"There is a sense of absolute despair. People are very disappointed and shocked, really unable to fathom what has happened," she said.
"Sometimes there is nothing you can say. We can only listen and offer support in the days, weeks and months to come.
"What has struck me most is the ripple effect throughout the Province. While there is devastation in Omagh, there is great shock all over Northern Ireland.
"We realise that this atrocity may reopen the wounds of those previously affected by the 'troubles' and would offer support to all those directly and indirectly affected by the weekend's tragedy."
Mr Patrick Shannon, NI Regional Manager for Cruse Bereavement Service, who came to Omagh at the weekend, agreed it was too early to expect many calls from local people.
"These are very early days, and people are still in a state of profound shock. We expect to hear from them when the funerals are over," he said.
For those Cruse volunteers who spent time counselling bereaved families and friends in the Omagh Leisure Centre, it has been a harrowing experience.
"One of the girl's had only a couple of hours sleep at the weekend. I have got to consider how I can support our volunteers. Yes, they are bereavement counsellors, but they are also part of the community, and that makes it very difficult for them," said Mr Shannon.
"Sometimes there don't seem to be any appropriate words to comfort the bereaved, but it's important for us to be alongside people and offer support.
"I anticipate that our work will be long-term, there will need to be a lot of hand holding at the time of the funerals, and in the months and years to come," she concluded.
Enniskillen, McGurk's and Shankill victims rally round
SURVIVORS of Enniskillen, McGurk's Bar and the Shankhill bombings have been experiencing terrible flashbacks following the tragedy in Omagh, according to support services.
Mrs Mina Wardle, director of The Shankhill Stress and Trauma Group, said she had taken on extra staff to cope with calls which had been flooding in from all over Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, staff who were involved in the Shankhill bombs have been encouraged to take time off work, because of painful memories that would be brought back by the Province's latest atrocity.
Mrs Wardle revealed that one old woman called to ask: "Why did God let me live, and take little children away?"
"People have experienced a revision of their own horror. Some even feel guilty, as each person hoped their own terrible experience would be the last one," she said.
"These people can relate to the girl in the video footage, who was seen reeling around in the middle of the street, not knowing where she was going or what she was doing.
"Everybody identifies with that girl, and people have been asking about her and wishing her well."
Realising that a large number of Omagh people are in Belfast hospitals, the Shankhill group has offered practical help by providing respite accommodation for families at the centre.
"There is nothing worse than families sitting in hospitals, so we are providing them with a place where they can be alone, get their thoughts together, and rest," said Mrs Wardle.
Sandra Peake, co-ordinator of WAVE in Belfast, has also received calls from people involved in previous atrocities, although one or two people who were at the scene in Omagh have already been in touch.
"There is a sense of absolute despair. People are very disappointed and shocked, really unable to fathom what has happened," she said.
"Sometimes there is nothing you can say. We can only listen and offer support in the days, weeks and months to come.
"What has struck me most is the ripple effect throughout the Province. While there is devastation in Omagh, there is great shock all over Northern Ireland.
"We realise that this atrocity may reopen the wounds of those previously affected by the 'troubles' and would offer support to all those directly and indirectly affected by the weekend's tragedy."
Mr Patrick Shannon, NI Regional Manager for Cruse Bereavement Service, who came to Omagh at the weekend, agreed it was too early to expect many calls from local people.
"These are very early days, and people are still in a state of profound shock. We expect to hear from them when the funerals are over," he said.
For those Cruse volunteers who spent time counselling bereaved families and friends in the Omagh Leisure Centre, it has been a harrowing experience.
"One of the girl's had only a couple of hours sleep at the weekend. I have got to consider how I can support our volunteers. Yes, they are bereavement counsellors, but they are also part of the community, and that makes it very difficult for them," said Mr Shannon.
"Sometimes there don't seem to be any appropriate words to comfort the bereaved, but it's important for us to be alongside people and offer support.
"I anticipate that our work will be long-term, there will need to be a lot of hand holding at the time of the funerals, and in the months and years to come," she concluded.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0078
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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