NEW-BORN BABY BRINGS RAY OF LIGHT IN DARKNESS
New-born baby brings ray of light in darkness
'A RAY of light in our darkness', was how the birth of a baby girl to an Omagh couple was hailed by staff at Dungannon's South Tyrone Hospital on Friday.
Nicola Emery, who had been injured in the hideous bomb attack on Omagh six days earlier, gave birth to a 71b 6oz daughter.
Her mother, Valerie, was also hurt in the bomb outrage, and was receiving treatment for severe leg injuries in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, at the time.
Miss Emery, 21, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Emery, who live in the Dublin Road area of Omagh. She suffered minor leg injuries in the bombing.
Her 17-year-old partner, Mr. Michael Mulholland, sustained back injuries in the explosion. He is a native of Clogher.
Just a week after Nicola, her mother, a cousin, and Michael, had had a carefree shopping outing blasted apart by the 5001b car bomb, she has given a ray of hope to the Province, according to staff at South Tyrone Hospital.
A spokesman for the hospital, which had treated many of the bomb victims, Mr. Robert Sowney, said the birth had lifted staff morale.
"It's been a very, very black week, but out of this blackness there's been one ray of sunshine," he added.
And Mr. Ian Hunter, senior consultant, and gynaecologist at South Tyrone, said: "All babies are special, but, in these terrible circumstances, this baby is even more special."
Grandmother Valerie, 41, said she believed the baby would be christened Chloe.
Speaking from her hospital bed, she said: "They always said if it was a girl they would call her Chloe. I don't think they have changed their minds."
Concerned
Nicola said she had been very concerned that she would lose the baby after the shock of the bombing, and was said to be overwhelmed with relief and happiness that her daughter had been safely delivered.
"I was very scared at the time. I thought I was going to lose the baby. I feel so happy that she is all right," she added.
Mr. Mulholland said his prayer now was that his daughter could grow up in a peaceful environment.
He said: "1 hope my wee girl can grow up without any violence, without bombs, and can be safe. We will tell her what happened, and how special she is."
Both Mr. Mulholland and Nicola admitted the birth had been tinged with sadness, especially for the Monaghan family, who were known to them, and, like the new baby's father, lived in the Clogher Valley.
Mrs. Avril Monaghan, who was expecting twins, which were due to be delivered in South Tyrone Hospital in the autumn, was murdered in the terrorist attack along with her 18-month-old daughter, Maura.
Mr. Mulholland said: "It must be so hard for the family. Our hearts go out to them."
'A RAY of light in our darkness', was how the birth of a baby girl to an Omagh couple was hailed by staff at Dungannon's South Tyrone Hospital on Friday.
Nicola Emery, who had been injured in the hideous bomb attack on Omagh six days earlier, gave birth to a 71b 6oz daughter.
Her mother, Valerie, was also hurt in the bomb outrage, and was receiving treatment for severe leg injuries in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, at the time.
Miss Emery, 21, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Emery, who live in the Dublin Road area of Omagh. She suffered minor leg injuries in the bombing.
Her 17-year-old partner, Mr. Michael Mulholland, sustained back injuries in the explosion. He is a native of Clogher.
Just a week after Nicola, her mother, a cousin, and Michael, had had a carefree shopping outing blasted apart by the 5001b car bomb, she has given a ray of hope to the Province, according to staff at South Tyrone Hospital.
A spokesman for the hospital, which had treated many of the bomb victims, Mr. Robert Sowney, said the birth had lifted staff morale.
"It's been a very, very black week, but out of this blackness there's been one ray of sunshine," he added.
And Mr. Ian Hunter, senior consultant, and gynaecologist at South Tyrone, said: "All babies are special, but, in these terrible circumstances, this baby is even more special."
Grandmother Valerie, 41, said she believed the baby would be christened Chloe.
Speaking from her hospital bed, she said: "They always said if it was a girl they would call her Chloe. I don't think they have changed their minds."
Concerned
Nicola said she had been very concerned that she would lose the baby after the shock of the bombing, and was said to be overwhelmed with relief and happiness that her daughter had been safely delivered.
"I was very scared at the time. I thought I was going to lose the baby. I feel so happy that she is all right," she added.
Mr. Mulholland said his prayer now was that his daughter could grow up in a peaceful environment.
He said: "1 hope my wee girl can grow up without any violence, without bombs, and can be safe. We will tell her what happened, and how special she is."
Both Mr. Mulholland and Nicola admitted the birth had been tinged with sadness, especially for the Monaghan family, who were known to them, and, like the new baby's father, lived in the Clogher Valley.
Mrs. Avril Monaghan, who was expecting twins, which were due to be delivered in South Tyrone Hospital in the autumn, was murdered in the terrorist attack along with her 18-month-old daughter, Maura.
Mr. Mulholland said: "It must be so hard for the family. Our hearts go out to them."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0283
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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