AWARD IS FOR ALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES, SAYS RUC HERO
Award is for all the emergency services, says RUC hero
The RUC man who took control of events in the immediate aftermath of the Market Street bomb of August 15 has been awarded an MBE for his heroic efforts.
Sergeant Philip Marshall's leadership at the scene reduced levels of panic, brought comfort to the dying, and prevented further loss of life. He was at the bomb site for over five hours, and left with the last of the dead.
Having evacuated the area around the Courthouse following the misleading warning. Sgt Marshall and his officers had begun to check cars in High Street for signs of an incendiary device when the bomb went off in Market Street.
"After running into that scene, following the first two or three minutes of total madness, somebody was going to have to impose some order onto the chaos. I was the senior police officer on the ground at the time of the explosion, and that was my job," he said.
Despite the scenes of bedlam, Sgt Marshall acted with sensitivity at all times, and ensured that the dead were treated with the utmost respect. He had the deceased covered and removed from the view of photographers, who were already arriving on the scene, to a temporary morgue at the army camp.
An extremely modest man, Sgt Marshall regards the MBE as a great personal privilege, but also an expression of gratitude to all members of the emergency services who co-operated with each other on the day of the blast.
"As the team leader on the day, I asked for their help and I got it. I was the person pulled out of the pack to receive the honour on behalf of everyone," he said.
"They all worked tremendously well, way beyond what they were trained for, and I see it as a pat on the back for us all. I hope local people don't think 'Why is he getting an award?' I am a representative of all the emergency services at the scene that day who worked together magnificently," he said.
Since joining the RUC at the age of 19, Sgt Marshall has always been based in the Omagh area, except for a brief stint in Fermanagh from 1993 to 1996. Sgt Marshall and his wife, who is a local woman, have three children, two boys aged 12 and 10, and a two-year-old little girl.
'Privilege'
"To say the MBE is an honour is an understatement. It is a great privilege for myself and my family. They are really over the moon about it. But receiving the award is tempered by my awareness of the feelings of people in the town," he said.
"I am a member of the community, I knew some of the dead well and I know a lot of the injured. It was as big a blow to me as anybody else. The award is a huge personal privilege, but I still feel for the people. It is nice, but it won't take away the memories of the day and nothing will."
Sgt Marshall expresses great concern for his officers who are still suffering as a result of the scenes of carnage they witnessed on August 15.
"My men and women are coping reasonably well, but they have good days and bad days. Christmas and the New Year was tough for them, but it was tough for everyone in the town.
"I hope for a better 1999 and my prayers are still with all the families. We haven't forgotten them."
A statement from the RUC said that Sgt Marshall had displayed an exemplary degree of professionalism and compassion when faced with a harrowing scene of carnage.
"His leadership skills were tested to the extreme during the terrorist bomb attack in the town. He took control of the scene, and his calm and confident leadership undoubtedly prevented further loss of life," it added.
The RUC man who took control of events in the immediate aftermath of the Market Street bomb of August 15 has been awarded an MBE for his heroic efforts.
Sergeant Philip Marshall's leadership at the scene reduced levels of panic, brought comfort to the dying, and prevented further loss of life. He was at the bomb site for over five hours, and left with the last of the dead.
Having evacuated the area around the Courthouse following the misleading warning. Sgt Marshall and his officers had begun to check cars in High Street for signs of an incendiary device when the bomb went off in Market Street.
"After running into that scene, following the first two or three minutes of total madness, somebody was going to have to impose some order onto the chaos. I was the senior police officer on the ground at the time of the explosion, and that was my job," he said.
Despite the scenes of bedlam, Sgt Marshall acted with sensitivity at all times, and ensured that the dead were treated with the utmost respect. He had the deceased covered and removed from the view of photographers, who were already arriving on the scene, to a temporary morgue at the army camp.
An extremely modest man, Sgt Marshall regards the MBE as a great personal privilege, but also an expression of gratitude to all members of the emergency services who co-operated with each other on the day of the blast.
"As the team leader on the day, I asked for their help and I got it. I was the person pulled out of the pack to receive the honour on behalf of everyone," he said.
"They all worked tremendously well, way beyond what they were trained for, and I see it as a pat on the back for us all. I hope local people don't think 'Why is he getting an award?' I am a representative of all the emergency services at the scene that day who worked together magnificently," he said.
Since joining the RUC at the age of 19, Sgt Marshall has always been based in the Omagh area, except for a brief stint in Fermanagh from 1993 to 1996. Sgt Marshall and his wife, who is a local woman, have three children, two boys aged 12 and 10, and a two-year-old little girl.
'Privilege'
"To say the MBE is an honour is an understatement. It is a great privilege for myself and my family. They are really over the moon about it. But receiving the award is tempered by my awareness of the feelings of people in the town," he said.
"I am a member of the community, I knew some of the dead well and I know a lot of the injured. It was as big a blow to me as anybody else. The award is a huge personal privilege, but I still feel for the people. It is nice, but it won't take away the memories of the day and nothing will."
Sgt Marshall expresses great concern for his officers who are still suffering as a result of the scenes of carnage they witnessed on August 15.
"My men and women are coping reasonably well, but they have good days and bad days. Christmas and the New Year was tough for them, but it was tough for everyone in the town.
"I hope for a better 1999 and my prayers are still with all the families. We haven't forgotten them."
A statement from the RUC said that Sgt Marshall had displayed an exemplary degree of professionalism and compassion when faced with a harrowing scene of carnage.
"His leadership skills were tested to the extreme during the terrorist bomb attack in the town. He took control of the scene, and his calm and confident leadership undoubtedly prevented further loss of life," it added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0584
Published Date: 07-Jan-99
Related Images
