INJURED WOMAN CONDEMNS BOMBERS FROM HOSPITAL BED
Injured woman condemns bombers from hospital bed
IN AN open letter to a Northern Ireland newspaper, written from her hospital bed, a woman has condemned the bombers who almost killed her son.
Mrs Gwen Hall, of Lissan View, Dublin Road, Omagh, hoped that at least one of the bombers would read the letter, addressed to "the bold lads who ripped the heart out of Omagh."
"I went to hell and back lying injured in the debris and water and blood, not knowing if my 12-year-old son was alive or dead," she told them.
"I wish you could have heard that child crying inconsolably yesterday, as he struggled with the pain from his severed limb."
Her son, Alistair, a pupil at Omagh Academy, was severely injured in the attack. He was taken to Altnagelvin hospital, Londonderry, and lost the lower part of his right leg.
Mrs Hall, who is also in Altnagelvin, suffered injuries, including a compound fracture to her left leg. She has also undergone surgery to remove a chip of bone from her cheekbone.
She wrote her letter "on behalf of the people of Omagh - the bereaved, injured, and anyone else affected."
"You may have broken the bodies of the people of Omagh, but you can never break their spirit." she told the perpetrators of the attack.
Her husband, Lindsey, and sons, Michael (21) and Gareth (19), are visiting Altnagelvin as much as possible.
Gareth, who was working in a children's summer camp in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, watched in horror as the Internet revealed pictures of his home town.
"A friend from Coleraine broke the news, and at first I thought it was impossible, with the ceasefire," said Gareth.
"But after initial difficulties getting through, I got in touch with my dad and granny, and they said that mum and Alistair had been in town and were among the injured."
"I was able to see grainy pictures of the town centre on the Net, and that made it so much worse, being so far away from home," he said.
Eldest brother, Michael (21), works in Edinburgh, also returned to Omagh as soon as he heard the news.
Alistair had recently attended Michael's graduation ceremony at Cardiff University.
Omagh Academy principal, Mr James McBain, described Alistair as a "very bright and outgoing young man who very much enjoyed sport, particularly rugby."
Alistair, who was preparing to enter second year at the Academy, was due to start playing rugby for the school this year.
"When he returns to school he will receive the full support of the staff, as well as help to come to terms with his injury," said Mr McBain.
Brother Gareth revealed that Alistair has received many messages of support, including a letter from the president of the Irish RFU, inviting him to meet the Irish team at an international match at Lansdowne Road.
IN AN open letter to a Northern Ireland newspaper, written from her hospital bed, a woman has condemned the bombers who almost killed her son.
Mrs Gwen Hall, of Lissan View, Dublin Road, Omagh, hoped that at least one of the bombers would read the letter, addressed to "the bold lads who ripped the heart out of Omagh."
"I went to hell and back lying injured in the debris and water and blood, not knowing if my 12-year-old son was alive or dead," she told them.
"I wish you could have heard that child crying inconsolably yesterday, as he struggled with the pain from his severed limb."
Her son, Alistair, a pupil at Omagh Academy, was severely injured in the attack. He was taken to Altnagelvin hospital, Londonderry, and lost the lower part of his right leg.
Mrs Hall, who is also in Altnagelvin, suffered injuries, including a compound fracture to her left leg. She has also undergone surgery to remove a chip of bone from her cheekbone.
She wrote her letter "on behalf of the people of Omagh - the bereaved, injured, and anyone else affected."
"You may have broken the bodies of the people of Omagh, but you can never break their spirit." she told the perpetrators of the attack.
Her husband, Lindsey, and sons, Michael (21) and Gareth (19), are visiting Altnagelvin as much as possible.
Gareth, who was working in a children's summer camp in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, watched in horror as the Internet revealed pictures of his home town.
"A friend from Coleraine broke the news, and at first I thought it was impossible, with the ceasefire," said Gareth.
"But after initial difficulties getting through, I got in touch with my dad and granny, and they said that mum and Alistair had been in town and were among the injured."
"I was able to see grainy pictures of the town centre on the Net, and that made it so much worse, being so far away from home," he said.
Eldest brother, Michael (21), works in Edinburgh, also returned to Omagh as soon as he heard the news.
Alistair had recently attended Michael's graduation ceremony at Cardiff University.
Omagh Academy principal, Mr James McBain, described Alistair as a "very bright and outgoing young man who very much enjoyed sport, particularly rugby."
Alistair, who was preparing to enter second year at the Academy, was due to start playing rugby for the school this year.
"When he returns to school he will receive the full support of the staff, as well as help to come to terms with his injury," said Mr McBain.
Brother Gareth revealed that Alistair has received many messages of support, including a letter from the president of the Irish RFU, inviting him to meet the Irish team at an international match at Lansdowne Road.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0300
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.