LEEDS UNITED BOSS CHEERS UP BOMB INJURED
Leeds United boss cheers up bomb injured
CASUALTIES of the Omagh bombing in the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen, had a surprise visit from Leeds United manager, George Graham.
The football boss chartered a helicopter and flew to St. Angelo Airport, outside Enniskillen, to see nine-year-old Emmet McLaughlin, from Buncrana, who was in intensive care following the blast.
While there he also paid a visit to Castlederg sisters, Claire (16) and Eilish (26), who were also injured in the explosion.
The sisters, who were working in shops in the town, were chatting to a friend during the evacuation when the bomb went off. They both suffered burns.
The visit was organised by Fermanagh District Council, at the request of Mrs. Aideen McGinley, the council's chief executive.
Emmet, who has since been transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, has burns to his face and hands as well as shrapnel wounds, and his 12-year-old cousin, Sean McLaughlin, was killed in the blast.
Staff at the hospital said the first thing Emmet responded to following the ordeal was when he was asked about his favourite football team, Leeds United.
Mr. Graham was told about the young fan after he had landed at Dublin Airport for the Leeds United friendly game against Shelboume, and made the journey to Fermanagh to see Emmet.
"His face literally lit up when he saw George Graham," said Mr. Vincent Ryan, director of planning with Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
He explained that Mr. Graham presented Emmet with a signed Leeds United shirt, a football, two signed team photographs and a pendant.
The football manager also invited the nine-year-old to visit the Leeds training ground and meet all the players.
"I would like to thank Fermanagh District Council for helping to arrange the visit. We were pleased to co-operate with them," said Mr. Ryan.
CASUALTIES of the Omagh bombing in the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen, had a surprise visit from Leeds United manager, George Graham.
The football boss chartered a helicopter and flew to St. Angelo Airport, outside Enniskillen, to see nine-year-old Emmet McLaughlin, from Buncrana, who was in intensive care following the blast.
While there he also paid a visit to Castlederg sisters, Claire (16) and Eilish (26), who were also injured in the explosion.
The sisters, who were working in shops in the town, were chatting to a friend during the evacuation when the bomb went off. They both suffered burns.
The visit was organised by Fermanagh District Council, at the request of Mrs. Aideen McGinley, the council's chief executive.
Emmet, who has since been transferred to Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, has burns to his face and hands as well as shrapnel wounds, and his 12-year-old cousin, Sean McLaughlin, was killed in the blast.
Staff at the hospital said the first thing Emmet responded to following the ordeal was when he was asked about his favourite football team, Leeds United.
Mr. Graham was told about the young fan after he had landed at Dublin Airport for the Leeds United friendly game against Shelboume, and made the journey to Fermanagh to see Emmet.
"His face literally lit up when he saw George Graham," said Mr. Vincent Ryan, director of planning with Sperrin Lakeland Trust.
He explained that Mr. Graham presented Emmet with a signed Leeds United shirt, a football, two signed team photographs and a pendant.
The football manager also invited the nine-year-old to visit the Leeds training ground and meet all the players.
"I would like to thank Fermanagh District Council for helping to arrange the visit. We were pleased to co-operate with them," said Mr. Ryan.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0281
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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