OMAGH TAKES FIRST STEPS BACK TO BUSINESS
Still grieving Omagh takes first steps back to business
As the shops re-open PM reveals plans for terror crackdown
TWO days after the people of Omagh paid their final farewell to those who were killed in Ireland's worst single terrorist atrocity in 30 years, the first tentative steps were taken towards rebuilding the town and its shattered lives.
At 3.10pm on Saturday, tens of thousands of people stood in the centre of Omagh in silent remembrance of the 28 men, women and children who had been slaughtered, and the hundreds of others who were injured and maimed, in the bomb which tore through Market Street at that moment one week before.
On Monday, many returned their support to the traders who faced the difficult task of re-opening businesses, some without staff who had worked for them for years.
Throughout the day there a steady stream of shoppers and well-wishers, many calling into Watterson's drapery store, which lost three of its staff, and the Carlton Bakery, which had 10 of its workforce injured.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, visited the town on Tuesday, to offer his condolences and to announce his proposed anti-terror laws.
He talked and shook hands with many of the people who had gathered in the streets, and called into Watterson's, and the Oxfam shop in High Street, which lost two young members of staff in the bombing.
Determined
Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders Association, said the business people were determined to see that right was done by those who grieved, and those who were injured.
He said the town would never forget what had happened, nor would it want to. But Omagh would still look to the future, and that had already begun to happen.
"The town has experienced bomb damage before and come through it, and we will do so again," he said.
Commenting on the difficulty shops had in re-opening on Monday, and the response from the public, he said: "They went into businesses and put their hands across the counters in a spirit of friendship.
"They told us we were doing the right thing, and we appreciate that."
Among those who believed the traders were doing 'the right thing' was Mr. Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed as she worked in her Pine Emporium shop in Market Street.
Speaking on Monday, Mr. Rush said the re-opening of shops and businesses was "part of the Omagh spirit".
"The people of Omagh are right. They are now showing the bombers their spirit. They are saying, "there you are, what have you gained by the deaths and mayhem and heartache?," he said.
"We are still here and going to keep going. What the bombers did was obscene and completely useless."
Compensation
Meanwhile, as the town took its first hesitant steps towards normality. Mr. Michael Gaine president of the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on the Government to "bend" its compensation rules to enable businesses to survive.
Mr. Gaine said it was also regrettable there were no proper facilities in place for those people who had not suffered actual physical damage to their property, but whose businesses would also suffer as a result of the bomb.
He said Monday had been a day which had "tested the strength of the Omagh business community to the limit".
Business people had returned to their places of work, yet their thoughts were with those who would never make the same journey, he said.
"Our minds are not on commerce and trade, but on those we have lost, the injured and those who may not work again." he said.
Mr. Gaine added: "Tomorrow and the day after, we will repeat this journey and continue the task of rebuilding Omagh and its economy."
He said the town was now experiencing financial difficulties, and the chamber had asked for the rates to be waived in a bid to help businesses through the aftermath of the bomb.
He said it was impossible to measure the extent of the emotions that had come out of the tragedy.
"Everyone has been touched in different ways, and everybody is trying to handle it in their own way," he said.
"People have no real choice with the emotional side of things - you have to deal with it. But the financial side of things is now going to raise its ugly head."
He went on: "Some of the shops will have difficulty paying their staff and their bills, and they feel they can't say anything about this.
No choice
"People haven't the heart to fight, but they have no choice. They want their properties back.
"I would say to the Government bodies that they are going to have to change the rules on compensation in this instance, and bend them a little, for the benefit of the local businesses."
On Monday, a special meeting for traders was held at Omagh council offices, in a bid to provide them with information on how to move forward and advise on compensation claims.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Compensation Agency, Planning Service and Roads Service, as well as council officials.
The Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and his assistant related their experiences of rebuilding the city following an IRA bomb attack there two years ago.
And representatives from the Portadown and Banbridge chambers of commerce were also there to offer advice and support.
The council's chief executive Mr. John McKinney said everyone present was mindful of the immense loss of life, and the suffering and grief that had befallen the town and surrounding district.
He said it was accepted that the commercial life of Omagh town would never be the same again. But for the sake of future generations, it was recognised that every effort had to be made to get the "business heart of Omagh re-started".
Last night (Wednesday), a hastily-convened meeting of the chamber of commerce, the traders, Focus and the Junior Chamber was held to discuss the rebuilding of the bomb-damaged area.
A further meeting with town traders is planned to take place in the council offices on Tuesday.
As the shops re-open PM reveals plans for terror crackdown
TWO days after the people of Omagh paid their final farewell to those who were killed in Ireland's worst single terrorist atrocity in 30 years, the first tentative steps were taken towards rebuilding the town and its shattered lives.
At 3.10pm on Saturday, tens of thousands of people stood in the centre of Omagh in silent remembrance of the 28 men, women and children who had been slaughtered, and the hundreds of others who were injured and maimed, in the bomb which tore through Market Street at that moment one week before.
On Monday, many returned their support to the traders who faced the difficult task of re-opening businesses, some without staff who had worked for them for years.
Throughout the day there a steady stream of shoppers and well-wishers, many calling into Watterson's drapery store, which lost three of its staff, and the Carlton Bakery, which had 10 of its workforce injured.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, visited the town on Tuesday, to offer his condolences and to announce his proposed anti-terror laws.
He talked and shook hands with many of the people who had gathered in the streets, and called into Watterson's, and the Oxfam shop in High Street, which lost two young members of staff in the bombing.
Determined
Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders Association, said the business people were determined to see that right was done by those who grieved, and those who were injured.
He said the town would never forget what had happened, nor would it want to. But Omagh would still look to the future, and that had already begun to happen.
"The town has experienced bomb damage before and come through it, and we will do so again," he said.
Commenting on the difficulty shops had in re-opening on Monday, and the response from the public, he said: "They went into businesses and put their hands across the counters in a spirit of friendship.
"They told us we were doing the right thing, and we appreciate that."
Among those who believed the traders were doing 'the right thing' was Mr. Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was killed as she worked in her Pine Emporium shop in Market Street.
Speaking on Monday, Mr. Rush said the re-opening of shops and businesses was "part of the Omagh spirit".
"The people of Omagh are right. They are now showing the bombers their spirit. They are saying, "there you are, what have you gained by the deaths and mayhem and heartache?," he said.
"We are still here and going to keep going. What the bombers did was obscene and completely useless."
Compensation
Meanwhile, as the town took its first hesitant steps towards normality. Mr. Michael Gaine president of the Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on the Government to "bend" its compensation rules to enable businesses to survive.
Mr. Gaine said it was also regrettable there were no proper facilities in place for those people who had not suffered actual physical damage to their property, but whose businesses would also suffer as a result of the bomb.
He said Monday had been a day which had "tested the strength of the Omagh business community to the limit".
Business people had returned to their places of work, yet their thoughts were with those who would never make the same journey, he said.
"Our minds are not on commerce and trade, but on those we have lost, the injured and those who may not work again." he said.
Mr. Gaine added: "Tomorrow and the day after, we will repeat this journey and continue the task of rebuilding Omagh and its economy."
He said the town was now experiencing financial difficulties, and the chamber had asked for the rates to be waived in a bid to help businesses through the aftermath of the bomb.
He said it was impossible to measure the extent of the emotions that had come out of the tragedy.
"Everyone has been touched in different ways, and everybody is trying to handle it in their own way," he said.
"People have no real choice with the emotional side of things - you have to deal with it. But the financial side of things is now going to raise its ugly head."
He went on: "Some of the shops will have difficulty paying their staff and their bills, and they feel they can't say anything about this.
No choice
"People haven't the heart to fight, but they have no choice. They want their properties back.
"I would say to the Government bodies that they are going to have to change the rules on compensation in this instance, and bend them a little, for the benefit of the local businesses."
On Monday, a special meeting for traders was held at Omagh council offices, in a bid to provide them with information on how to move forward and advise on compensation claims.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Compensation Agency, Planning Service and Roads Service, as well as council officials.
The Chief Executive of Manchester City Council and his assistant related their experiences of rebuilding the city following an IRA bomb attack there two years ago.
And representatives from the Portadown and Banbridge chambers of commerce were also there to offer advice and support.
The council's chief executive Mr. John McKinney said everyone present was mindful of the immense loss of life, and the suffering and grief that had befallen the town and surrounding district.
He said it was accepted that the commercial life of Omagh town would never be the same again. But for the sake of future generations, it was recognised that every effort had to be made to get the "business heart of Omagh re-started".
Last night (Wednesday), a hastily-convened meeting of the chamber of commerce, the traders, Focus and the Junior Chamber was held to discuss the rebuilding of the bomb-damaged area.
A further meeting with town traders is planned to take place in the council offices on Tuesday.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0261
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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