EMOTIONAL TIME FOR MP AS BOMB SHATTERS PEACE
Emotional time for MP as bomb shatters peace
THE immediate feeling at the scene of Saturday's carnage was one of disbelief, West Tyrone MP, Mr. William Thompson, said.
Mr. Thompson said the area had been largely quiet over the past year and the bomb attack came out of the blue.
He said he arrived in Omagh just as the bodies of the dead were being removed.
"I went to the hospital and saw the injured were there with their relatives in great distress. I could see many were seriously injured," he said.
Mr. Thompson also went to the leisure centre, where many people were searching for relatives.
"It then began to dawn on me the great loss we were experiencing. Names were being mentioned, and it became clear that not all of those missing would turn up alive. I tried to comfort those people. I knew, but as the night went on hope for many turned to despair," he said.
He said he joined in the short religious service for those waiting for news. He described this as a very moving experience.
On Sunday Mr. Thompson was called on repeatedly to give interviews to the world's media, and he said he found this to be a time of extreme emotion.
"I could not keep the tears back when I was speaking because of those I knew who were dead or seriously injured and the big loss this would be to their friends and families," he said.
And Mr. Thompson went on: "I want to record my appreciation to all the emergency services, the fire men, the nurses, the ambulance drivers, Red Cross, Order of Malta, and St. John Ambulance, for the remarkably work they did.
"I would particularly mention the police. I am absolutely confident the messages received about the bomb were accurately relayed. They did the job of clearing the courthouse hill but tragically, and unknowingly, they moved people to the area the bomb was in." he said.
He said he had complete confidence in police officers, many of them young constables, who had behaved bravely in harrowing circumstances.
And Mr. Thompson paid tribute to all the civilians who had done all they could to assist the injured and the dying in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
Continuing Mr Thompson said the visit of Prince Charles raised the morale of the people of Omagh.
The Prince had come to the town knowing something of the distress and horror people were feeling, and had gone out of his way to offer what comfort he could.
He said the Prince was clearly able to empathise with those who were badly affected by the trauma, and had given encouragement to many.
THE immediate feeling at the scene of Saturday's carnage was one of disbelief, West Tyrone MP, Mr. William Thompson, said.
Mr. Thompson said the area had been largely quiet over the past year and the bomb attack came out of the blue.
He said he arrived in Omagh just as the bodies of the dead were being removed.
"I went to the hospital and saw the injured were there with their relatives in great distress. I could see many were seriously injured," he said.
Mr. Thompson also went to the leisure centre, where many people were searching for relatives.
"It then began to dawn on me the great loss we were experiencing. Names were being mentioned, and it became clear that not all of those missing would turn up alive. I tried to comfort those people. I knew, but as the night went on hope for many turned to despair," he said.
He said he joined in the short religious service for those waiting for news. He described this as a very moving experience.
On Sunday Mr. Thompson was called on repeatedly to give interviews to the world's media, and he said he found this to be a time of extreme emotion.
"I could not keep the tears back when I was speaking because of those I knew who were dead or seriously injured and the big loss this would be to their friends and families," he said.
And Mr. Thompson went on: "I want to record my appreciation to all the emergency services, the fire men, the nurses, the ambulance drivers, Red Cross, Order of Malta, and St. John Ambulance, for the remarkably work they did.
"I would particularly mention the police. I am absolutely confident the messages received about the bomb were accurately relayed. They did the job of clearing the courthouse hill but tragically, and unknowingly, they moved people to the area the bomb was in." he said.
He said he had complete confidence in police officers, many of them young constables, who had behaved bravely in harrowing circumstances.
And Mr. Thompson paid tribute to all the civilians who had done all they could to assist the injured and the dying in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
Continuing Mr Thompson said the visit of Prince Charles raised the morale of the people of Omagh.
The Prince had come to the town knowing something of the distress and horror people were feeling, and had gone out of his way to offer what comfort he could.
He said the Prince was clearly able to empathise with those who were badly affected by the trauma, and had given encouragement to many.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0107
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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