CROWDS GAVE VISITORS WARM WELCOME
Crowds gave visitors warm welcome
Despite the disruption, President Bill Clinton received a warm welcome from the crowds who gathered to see him during his visit to the town last week.
Many who filed into the centre of Omagh for a glimpse of the President and the First Lady said afterwards that they were glad he had taken the time to come to the town to offer his support and sympathy.
Omagh woman, Noelle Jepsol, said she had waited six hours to meet Mr. Clinton, and it had been worth it, as she had managed to shake his hand.
She said she was sure the visit would help boost the people of Omagh, and hoped it would bring peace.
Others had come from farther afield. Jim Lewsley travelled from Newcastle in Co Down, with his wife, Ann, who is originally from near Ballygawley.
He said they had come, not just to see the President, but to offer support in some way to those who had been bereaved and injured.
"I shook his hand and told him 'well done', and he put his hands on my shoulders and thanked me for my support. He seemed very sombre, and was definitely moved." Mr Lewsley said.
He went on "The bombing in Omagh has touched everyone. I care as much about what happened here as the people of Omagh do, and it is the same all over Northern Ireland."
Mrs. Sarah Beadle, from England, came to Omagh once she heard about the bombing, as she has relatives in the town and in Strabane.
She said she was delighted to have met the President.
"He is the first celebrity I have seen in all my life, and it is marvellous that he should come here," she said.
Despite the disruption, President Bill Clinton received a warm welcome from the crowds who gathered to see him during his visit to the town last week.
Many who filed into the centre of Omagh for a glimpse of the President and the First Lady said afterwards that they were glad he had taken the time to come to the town to offer his support and sympathy.
Omagh woman, Noelle Jepsol, said she had waited six hours to meet Mr. Clinton, and it had been worth it, as she had managed to shake his hand.
She said she was sure the visit would help boost the people of Omagh, and hoped it would bring peace.
Others had come from farther afield. Jim Lewsley travelled from Newcastle in Co Down, with his wife, Ann, who is originally from near Ballygawley.
He said they had come, not just to see the President, but to offer support in some way to those who had been bereaved and injured.
"I shook his hand and told him 'well done', and he put his hands on my shoulders and thanked me for my support. He seemed very sombre, and was definitely moved." Mr Lewsley said.
He went on "The bombing in Omagh has touched everyone. I care as much about what happened here as the people of Omagh do, and it is the same all over Northern Ireland."
Mrs. Sarah Beadle, from England, came to Omagh once she heard about the bombing, as she has relatives in the town and in Strabane.
She said she was delighted to have met the President.
"He is the first celebrity I have seen in all my life, and it is marvellous that he should come here," she said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1188
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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