VICTIMS FUND EXPECTED TO TOP �5MILLION
Victims fund expected to top �5million
Up to 700 people suffering in the aftermath of the Market Street bomb could receive immediate financial assistance from the Omagh Fund as soon as the trustees have full details of their situation.
Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution yesterday, the chairman of the Omagh Fund, Mr. Sean O'Dwyer, said he would be "very disappointed" if the fund did not eventually exceed �5 million.
"We want to help people today, not tomorrow. At the moment we don't have a full list of people who suffered. We want people to let us know their names," said Mr. O'Dwyer.
At the official launch at the fund's office in Lisnamallard House, on Tuesday, Mr O'Dwyer said that between 450 and 700 beneficiaries could expect to receive a portion of the total amount.
"There is an enormous amount of work that has to be done and we must get on with it, and fast. There can be no excuses for us not helping people quickly," he said.
And he confirmed that the fund had already made interim payments to those most in need.
Contributions to the fund, set up only two days after the atrocity of August 15th, are soon expected to pass the �1 million mark.
Fund manager, Mr. Brian Oliphant, said he made reference to a figure of �12 million in previous interviews but admitted that this had been "of the top of my head", if that amount was raised the fund would be able to do much more work.
A total of �165,000 is currently lodged in the fund's account, with �46,000 having already been distributed to claimants. And, according to Mr. Oliphant, at least an additional �1,275,000 has been pledged.
The largest pledges so far have come form the GAA (�500,000), golfer Darren Clarke (�348,000) and Monday night's event at the RDS in Dublin, organised by the Irish Grocers' Association (�100,000)
Mr. O'Dwyer also paid tribute to the hundreds of small events going on throughout Ireland and beyond.
He said the fund would act with maximum speed, especially with regard to initial payments, and administration costs would be kept to an absolute minimum.
Confidential
The trustees will maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the identity of the beneficiaries and details of the amounts paid to individuals.
Payments will be made in the manner most helpful to the beneficiaries, and distributions will be calculated on assessment of individual needs.
The trustees will not meet with the individual claimants. Potential recipients will have to complete an information questionnaire which will help the trustees to assess their claims. It is hoped that the questionnaire will be approved by Monday.
A team of 20 advisers, yet to be appointed, will be the first point of contact with those who have suffered, and will assist them in completion of the questionnaire.
The Duke of Abercorn, one of the trustees, said the Omagh Fund had taken on international status.
"Having studied the response to the appeal in Bradford and others on the mainland. I believe this has different dimensions. It could prove to be the most emotional, global fund of all time," he said.
"All of us who live in the Province have been inundated with telephone calls from people all over the world. It is the duty of the trustees to make sure that every opportunity is met to let people raise funds all over the world to assist this very worthy fund."
Dr. Clifford McCord from Aughnacloy, another of the trustees' said he expected that people would inform them of potential recipients who were reluctant to come forward.
He confirmed that the figure of between 450 and 700 potential beneficiaries was provisional and could increase.
"We don't know the full extent of the problem that faces us. Many people are experiencing delayed shock. People who can face it today may not be able to face it in a year's time," he said.
Director of the Community Care, Mr David Bolton, briefed the panel on the impact of the Omagh bombing on the community, leading them to conclude that this was the greatest disaster in these islands since the Second World War.
Dr. Aideen McGinley, from Enniskillen said that the trustees had been assured by compensation agencies that awards from the fund would not affect any compensation payments.
"The last thing we want to do is disadvantage anyone who is due payments," she said.
And Mr. O'Dwyer said he hoped the fund could assist those who fell outside the jurisdiction of the compensation agencies. He gave the example of small businesses further away from the incident, who would not be entitled to claim compensation through the normal channels.
He refused to comment on the refusal of GAA headquarters to allow the Omagh St.Enda's Club pitch to be used for a soccer match in aid of the fund.
"We commend anyone who raises money for the fund. We are not entering into a 'blame culture' with anybody. We will not do that. We don't want to get involved in internal politics," responded Mr. O'Dwyer.
Up to 700 people suffering in the aftermath of the Market Street bomb could receive immediate financial assistance from the Omagh Fund as soon as the trustees have full details of their situation.
Speaking to the Tyrone Constitution yesterday, the chairman of the Omagh Fund, Mr. Sean O'Dwyer, said he would be "very disappointed" if the fund did not eventually exceed �5 million.
"We want to help people today, not tomorrow. At the moment we don't have a full list of people who suffered. We want people to let us know their names," said Mr. O'Dwyer.
At the official launch at the fund's office in Lisnamallard House, on Tuesday, Mr O'Dwyer said that between 450 and 700 beneficiaries could expect to receive a portion of the total amount.
"There is an enormous amount of work that has to be done and we must get on with it, and fast. There can be no excuses for us not helping people quickly," he said.
And he confirmed that the fund had already made interim payments to those most in need.
Contributions to the fund, set up only two days after the atrocity of August 15th, are soon expected to pass the �1 million mark.
Fund manager, Mr. Brian Oliphant, said he made reference to a figure of �12 million in previous interviews but admitted that this had been "of the top of my head", if that amount was raised the fund would be able to do much more work.
A total of �165,000 is currently lodged in the fund's account, with �46,000 having already been distributed to claimants. And, according to Mr. Oliphant, at least an additional �1,275,000 has been pledged.
The largest pledges so far have come form the GAA (�500,000), golfer Darren Clarke (�348,000) and Monday night's event at the RDS in Dublin, organised by the Irish Grocers' Association (�100,000)
Mr. O'Dwyer also paid tribute to the hundreds of small events going on throughout Ireland and beyond.
He said the fund would act with maximum speed, especially with regard to initial payments, and administration costs would be kept to an absolute minimum.
Confidential
The trustees will maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the identity of the beneficiaries and details of the amounts paid to individuals.
Payments will be made in the manner most helpful to the beneficiaries, and distributions will be calculated on assessment of individual needs.
The trustees will not meet with the individual claimants. Potential recipients will have to complete an information questionnaire which will help the trustees to assess their claims. It is hoped that the questionnaire will be approved by Monday.
A team of 20 advisers, yet to be appointed, will be the first point of contact with those who have suffered, and will assist them in completion of the questionnaire.
The Duke of Abercorn, one of the trustees, said the Omagh Fund had taken on international status.
"Having studied the response to the appeal in Bradford and others on the mainland. I believe this has different dimensions. It could prove to be the most emotional, global fund of all time," he said.
"All of us who live in the Province have been inundated with telephone calls from people all over the world. It is the duty of the trustees to make sure that every opportunity is met to let people raise funds all over the world to assist this very worthy fund."
Dr. Clifford McCord from Aughnacloy, another of the trustees' said he expected that people would inform them of potential recipients who were reluctant to come forward.
He confirmed that the figure of between 450 and 700 potential beneficiaries was provisional and could increase.
"We don't know the full extent of the problem that faces us. Many people are experiencing delayed shock. People who can face it today may not be able to face it in a year's time," he said.
Director of the Community Care, Mr David Bolton, briefed the panel on the impact of the Omagh bombing on the community, leading them to conclude that this was the greatest disaster in these islands since the Second World War.
Dr. Aideen McGinley, from Enniskillen said that the trustees had been assured by compensation agencies that awards from the fund would not affect any compensation payments.
"The last thing we want to do is disadvantage anyone who is due payments," she said.
And Mr. O'Dwyer said he hoped the fund could assist those who fell outside the jurisdiction of the compensation agencies. He gave the example of small businesses further away from the incident, who would not be entitled to claim compensation through the normal channels.
He refused to comment on the refusal of GAA headquarters to allow the Omagh St.Enda's Club pitch to be used for a soccer match in aid of the fund.
"We commend anyone who raises money for the fund. We are not entering into a 'blame culture' with anybody. We will not do that. We don't want to get involved in internal politics," responded Mr. O'Dwyer.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1239
Published Date: 01-Oct-98
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