POLICE CHIEF SAYS OFFICERS WERE AFFECTED BY THE CARNAGE
Police chiefs say officers were affected by the carnage
OMAGH'S new RUC deputy sub-divisional commander. Chief Inspector Michael Skuce, has paid tribute to the police officers who helped tend the dead and injured in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.
Chief Inspector Skuce arrived in the town on Monday of last week, to temporarily replace Chief Inspector John Barr, who is recovering from injuries received during the Drumcree stand-off.
Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), Mr. Skuce said he had helped out at the leisure centre after the bombing, and at the temporary mortuary set up in Lisanelly Camp.
"It was a terrible experience for everyone involved. The number of bodies was overwhelming. I think a lot of police officers have had difficulty coming to terms with the scale of the mutilation they saw," he said.
"I was very impressed with the way in which the officers dealt with the recovery of the bodies at the scene, and the way they handled the identification process at the mortuary."
He added: "You learn to accept death, but to come across murders on such a scale, that is something you don't come to terms with overnight."
The local sub-divisional commander. Superintendent James Baxter, has also paid tribute to his officers, and all those who helped the wounded.
"I was incredibly struck by what people did that day. And I pay tribute to the bravery of the policemen, all the emergency services, and the ordinary man in the street, who went in among the dead and injured to offer whatever assistance they could."
Both officers also extended their sympathy to all those who had been bereaved.
OMAGH'S new RUC deputy sub-divisional commander. Chief Inspector Michael Skuce, has paid tribute to the police officers who helped tend the dead and injured in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb.
Chief Inspector Skuce arrived in the town on Monday of last week, to temporarily replace Chief Inspector John Barr, who is recovering from injuries received during the Drumcree stand-off.
Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), Mr. Skuce said he had helped out at the leisure centre after the bombing, and at the temporary mortuary set up in Lisanelly Camp.
"It was a terrible experience for everyone involved. The number of bodies was overwhelming. I think a lot of police officers have had difficulty coming to terms with the scale of the mutilation they saw," he said.
"I was very impressed with the way in which the officers dealt with the recovery of the bodies at the scene, and the way they handled the identification process at the mortuary."
He added: "You learn to accept death, but to come across murders on such a scale, that is something you don't come to terms with overnight."
The local sub-divisional commander. Superintendent James Baxter, has also paid tribute to his officers, and all those who helped the wounded.
"I was incredibly struck by what people did that day. And I pay tribute to the bravery of the policemen, all the emergency services, and the ordinary man in the street, who went in among the dead and injured to offer whatever assistance they could."
Both officers also extended their sympathy to all those who had been bereaved.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0103
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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