ORDER OF MALTA HONOURS OMAGH MEMBERS FOR WORK IN BOMB AFTERMATH
Order of Malta honours Omagh members for work in bomb aftermath
THE Order of Malta has made its highest awards to members of its Omagh Ambulance Corps, in recognition of the tireless way in which they assisted people in the aftermath of the Market Street bomb of August 15, last year.
Individuals singled out for honours were Lieutenant Kevin Moore, officer in charge of the local unit, who received a cross of merit, and Volunteer Charlie McCourt, who was awarded the silver medal of merit.
The other members of the Corps received bronze medals of merit at a special ceremony in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, last week.
On the day of the bomb, the local Ambulance Corps set up a first aid post in the Leisure Centre, and personnel remained there overnight to counsel relatives who were waiting for news of missing loved ones, and to treat people turning up with minor injuries. Many of them remained on duty for up to 53 hours.
Charlie McCourt was one of the volunteers who helped the injured and dying in the County Hospital.
He also administered care to a male Spanish student and a local girl, in the back of an ambulance on its way to Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry. Both patients had life-threatening injuries.
"The Spanish boy couldn't speak English and he was very distressed. He kept asking about his sister, who was also injured, but we couldn't tell him that she was being looked after. Luckily, there was a Spanish interpreter in Altnagelvin who could put his mind at ease," he said.
Lieut. Kevin Moore said he was very pleased that the members of the Corps had been recognised for their outstanding work and service to the local community.
"I felt that the work that was done deserved recognition, and we received the awards on behalf of all the emergency services and ordinary people who helped on the day. I'm pleased that the work of everyone has been recognised," he said.
After the bomb, Lieut. Moore sent a report to the Order of Malta's director in Dublin, outlining what he considered to be the outstanding contribution made in assisting the people of Omagh.
The report was then passed to the president of the Irish Association of the Order of Malta, Peter Pearson, who forwarded it to the Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta in Rome.
"Obviously the awards came in very sad circumstances, but members did what they had to do without question, and gave of themselves selflessly. Some of them were helping without knowledge of the safety of their own family," said Lieut. Moore.
"I'm very proud of the men and women of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps who responded to the atrocity with their first aid skills as best they could. Personally, I feel I received my award on behalf of everyone involved," he said.
THE Order of Malta has made its highest awards to members of its Omagh Ambulance Corps, in recognition of the tireless way in which they assisted people in the aftermath of the Market Street bomb of August 15, last year.
Individuals singled out for honours were Lieutenant Kevin Moore, officer in charge of the local unit, who received a cross of merit, and Volunteer Charlie McCourt, who was awarded the silver medal of merit.
The other members of the Corps received bronze medals of merit at a special ceremony in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, last week.
On the day of the bomb, the local Ambulance Corps set up a first aid post in the Leisure Centre, and personnel remained there overnight to counsel relatives who were waiting for news of missing loved ones, and to treat people turning up with minor injuries. Many of them remained on duty for up to 53 hours.
Charlie McCourt was one of the volunteers who helped the injured and dying in the County Hospital.
He also administered care to a male Spanish student and a local girl, in the back of an ambulance on its way to Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry. Both patients had life-threatening injuries.
"The Spanish boy couldn't speak English and he was very distressed. He kept asking about his sister, who was also injured, but we couldn't tell him that she was being looked after. Luckily, there was a Spanish interpreter in Altnagelvin who could put his mind at ease," he said.
Lieut. Kevin Moore said he was very pleased that the members of the Corps had been recognised for their outstanding work and service to the local community.
"I felt that the work that was done deserved recognition, and we received the awards on behalf of all the emergency services and ordinary people who helped on the day. I'm pleased that the work of everyone has been recognised," he said.
After the bomb, Lieut. Moore sent a report to the Order of Malta's director in Dublin, outlining what he considered to be the outstanding contribution made in assisting the people of Omagh.
The report was then passed to the president of the Irish Association of the Order of Malta, Peter Pearson, who forwarded it to the Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta in Rome.
"Obviously the awards came in very sad circumstances, but members did what they had to do without question, and gave of themselves selflessly. Some of them were helping without knowledge of the safety of their own family," said Lieut. Moore.
"I'm very proud of the men and women of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps who responded to the atrocity with their first aid skills as best they could. Personally, I feel I received my award on behalf of everyone involved," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0596
Published Date: 14-Jan-99
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