TC/1227

Crackdown warning by RUC as bangers bring back 'dreadful memories' of bomb blast

LOCAL police have warned that they will crack down on the indiscriminate throwing of illegal 'bangers' and fireworks in the streets, amid concerns that they are causing unnecessary suffering to those caught up in the bomb atrocity last month.
The RUC has also appealed to parents to ensure their children are aware of the dangers of fireworks, and that they have no bangers in their possession.
And the district council is contacting schools in the area to ask principals to stress to pupils the sensitive nature of using fireworks at the present time.
With still five weeks to go to Halloween, the local traders association has urged shop owners licenced to sell legal fireworks to behave responsibly and with discretion, but there have also been calls for no fireworks to be sold in any shop in Omagh this year, in deference to the bomb victims.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gerry Harte, chief environmental health officer, has requested that the youth of Omagh refrain from using bangers and fireworks in the lead-up to Halloween, in the wake of the recent atrocity to the community.
To date, no one has been treated in the Tyrone County Hospital for injuries sustained by fireworks or bangers, but concern is mounting about the effect they are having on those involved in the Omagh bombing, with fears that some could suffer 'flashbacks' to August 15.
Since October 1997, it is illegal to sell fireworks without a licence to anyone under 16 years of age.
'Bangers' are now illegal, and it is a criminal offence to possess, purchase or sell them. It is also an offence to use or throw any firework in the street or a public place.
Chief Inspector Michael Skuce, the local deputy RUC sub-divisional commander, said the police were treating the situation very seriously.
"Apart from the fact that the sale and possession of bangers is illegal, the people who are throwing them are bringing back dreadful memories for those caught up in the bomb," he said.
"We intend to do all we can to stamp this behaviour out."
He pointed out that children under the age of 16 should not be in possession of fireworks of any kind, and that they should always be supervised by adults.
Distressed
Mr. Skuce said the police had received a letter from a local schoolgirl who had been caught up in the bombing, and who was distressed at the bangers that were being thrown.
"She said if just brought back the memory of the bombing. Those who are doing this may think it is fun, but others are reliving the events of August 15 every time one goes off," he said,
He went on to urge anyone who knew of someone who was selling illegal bangers to contact the police at Omagh.
Local councillor, Mrs Ann Gormley, said she had received many complaints from people who were upset by the noise made by fireworks.
"This is an annual problem that has, in the past, been of particular annoyance for the elderly," she said.
"Now in the aftermath of the terrible bomb in the town, the fireworks and bangers are having an unnerving effect on the whole of the community."
Mrs. Gormley went on: "It is obvious that many people are breaking the law if there are bangers going off at random, and especially late at night.
"The people who are doing this have no regard for the law and absolutely no consideration for the feelings of their neighbours. We must all take a more responsible position, and, as parents, try to ensure our children do not have access to fireworks of any description."
She pointed out that the use of fireworks was potentially very dangerous and should be left to the experts at specially organised events that everyone could enjoy.
"A properly run display of fireworks is good entertainment for the family, and if it is well advertised should not cause undue distress to anyone," she said.
"We do not want to spoil the tradition of Halloween for our children, but at the same time, we do not want to upset the many victims whose memories of August 15 are still so fresh in their minds.
"It is the use of the illegal banger that causes most distress, and should be dealt with as a criminal offence."
Fellow councillor, Mr. Reuben McKelvey, appealed to local outlets not to sell any fireworks this year, in deference to the feelings of those caught up in the bombing.
He said he had received numerous phone calls about the use of bangers and fireworks, adding: "This is particularly upsetting for those who were involved in last month's atrocity. Many are still very nervous, and need consolation and encouragement, not bangers being thrown at them."
Mr. McKelvey said he knew outlets in the town were sensitive to the feelings of the public, and he urged them: "Owing to the trauma these fireworks and bangers are causing so many people, I would ask shops not to sell fireworks this year, in a bid to curb the problem."
One local man, who contacted the Tyrone Constitution, said he was angry that shops in Omagh were selling fireworks, in light of what had happened last month.
Sensitivity
"People have been traumatised in this town. I know the sale of fireworks is legal, but shops should be showing more sensitivity," he said.
He went on: "It is just over a fortnight since we buried the last victim of the bomb, and I feel that, under the circumstances, no fireworks should be sold in the town this autumn.
"It is quite scandalous. The owners of premises selling them are responsible people, and I don't know how they can do it."
Mr. Roy Allen, chairman of Omagh Traders' Association, said the body was appealing to shop owners with licences to sell fireworks to do so at their discretion.
"They should only be sold to young people over the age of 16, and it would be better if they could be sold closer to Halloween, rather than six weeks beforehand," he said.
He said parental guidance was also crucial in the bid to curb the indiscriminate throwing of fireworks by children.
"Mothers and fathers should not be letting their children run riot around the streets throwing these things at people. Perhaps community groups could organise nights for fireworks displays in the run up to Halloween, so that they would be properly monitored and controlled," he said.
"We can't have people walking down the street, meeting a group of schoolchildren, and having bangers thrown at them. There must be some respect shown for those who have been affected by, and emotionally scarred by, last month's bombing."
Mr Allen went on: "We have also asked the council to get in touch with schools to urge pupils to behave more responsibly."
He said the problem mainly lay with the selling of illegal fireworks, and the association had asked the council's environmental health department to clamp down immediately on those who were selling fireworks without licences.
"Immediate action must be taken on those who are breaking the law," he said.
Dangers
Meanwhile, the council has issued a warning on the dangers of fireworks.
In a statement, a spokesman said that official figures for Northern Ireland showed that 93 people had been seriously injured last year as a result of careless use of fireworks. The real numbers, he said, were much higher.
The greatest concentration of injuries tended to be in the seven to 16-year-old category, although those concerned ranged in age from a few months to over 75, he said.
"Fireworks are seen as toys, when, in fact, they are small explosive devices. Fatalities are not uncommon," he said.
He said a number of injuries were caused by sparklers and holding on to lit fireworks, but injuries could also be incurred due to horseplay.
"Throwing fireworks at other people may appear funny to teenagers, but if it means that you're responsible for the loss of an eye, or perhaps some other disfigurement, then there is nothing funny about it," he said.

Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION

Ref: TC/1227

Published Date: 24-Sep-98