BOMB SURVIVOR MAKES TEARFUL RETURN TO SHOP OF SORROW
Bomb survivor makes tearful return to shop of sorrow
DOREEN Preston who miraculously survived the Market Street bomb of August 15, called to visit her workmates in Wattersons drapery shop on Monday morning.
Her surprise visit lifted the spirits of the staff, who are still mourning the loss of the three loyal workers who died in the blast - Veda Short, Ann McCombe and Geraldine Breslin.
After four months in hospital, and walking with the aid of a crutch, Doreen bravely went upstairs to ladies fashions, where she had worked for 22 years, alongside Ann and Geraldine.
"All the girls flocked round me and welcomed me with open arms. Everybody was glad to see me and even the customers came and kissed and hugged me," said Doreen.
But the tears really began to flow when she called at the hosiery department, where her best friend, Veda Short, worked for 20 years.
"When I went over to Veda's department I just broke down and cried and cried. If I had any problems in the shop I would go to Veda, or she would come to me. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, because I worked there for so long and I lost three very good friends," she said.
As if to illustrate the esteem in which Doreen was regarded, a customer telephoned to inquire about her health during her visit to the store, and was astonished when 'the patient' came on the line.
But to look at Doreen, relaxing in her Rogers Villas home, it is difficult to imagine the terrible catalogue of injuries she sustained as a result of the bomb. Immaculately turned out in a stylish knitted top and skirt and with her hair styled to perfection, she has obviously refused to let the atrocity change her cheerful outlook on life.
'Thank the Lord'
"I'm here, thank the Lord, I lost two stone in weight, not that that will do any harm. In the past I often said I would like to have lost some weight but not this way," she joked.
Doreen lost her right leg below the knee, and two fingers on her right hand are gone, but she is coping well with her artificial limb, despite suffering from phantom pains at night, and is simply grateful that she can still comb her hair because she is left-handed.
And there were many other, less obvious, internal injuries to overcome.
"I had a perforated bowel and had part of it removed. My eardrum was burst and my lung was melted, and my heel was just hanging off. Three times I was near to death and then I took a blood disorder, from which very few people survive. I was a fighter," she explained.
Doreen has received over 800 'Get Well' cards and letters from all over the world, and her front room is packed full of presents and flowers she received when she was in hospital.
"I never once dreamed I was so well thought about. People are so caring and loving. Everybody from all religions has been so kind. There are so many nice people, and it only takes one rotten apple to destroy the rest," she said.
Understandably, Doreen hopes that the bombers who carried out the atrocity will be caught and punished.
"I would love them to be caught and would like them to suffer what I have suffered. They injured 250 people and took 29 lives, including three of my best friends. They mowed us down," she said.
"Both communities got it hard. I'm sure everybody thinks like me, I would definitely like them to be caught."
Vague
While her memory of the bomb is vague, she can remember every word of the conversation she had with her best friend Veda when they were on a late lunch break that Saturday afternoon.
"Veda and I were at Kellys Chemist when a police car pulled up. I said to Veda 'There's something terrible wrong', and the police said we could go no further.
We told him we worked in Wattersons, but he said there was a bomb 100 yards from the Courthouse.
"We went down the street and stood chatting to a group of customers. The police sent us further down and as it was cold on our side of the street, we crossed over.
Doreen was standing outside McElroy's shoe shop, chatting to Veda, Geraldine Breslin, Ann McCombe, Olive Hawkes and Linda McCullough, Veda's niece, when the bomb went off.
"I remember being hurled up into the air, and hitting what I thought was a lamppost, but it was the pavement or the ground, and I ended up at the bottom of the pile," she said.
"I screamed and tried to pull my head up and it wouldn't come for ages, but that obviously was because of the people on top of me."
A door was used as a makeshift stretcher to carry Doreen to a Land Rover, which brought her to the County Hospital, from where she was airlifted to Altnagelvin in Londonderry on Saturday night.
She was transferred to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald on Tuesday, August 18, and went to Musgrave Hospital on November 17 until Thursday last. After the bomb, she spent a total of 33 days in intensive care and was too ill to even inquire about her friends.
Tubes
"I was on a ventilator and, according to my husband there were tubes everywhere. It didn't register that me friends were dead. As time went on I kept asking for them until John said Doreen I'm sorry, your best friend Veda is gone."
"Later he told me Ann was dead too. I used to give Ann a lift to work, we were very good friends and we went to Dublin together to see Daniel O'Donnell.
"Weeks after I said to John, 'You have never said how Geraldine is keeping.' I suppose he tried to break it to me as softly as he could."
During her convalescence, Doreen's spirits were lifted by a phone call from her favourite artiste, Daniel O'Donnell, who contacted her from his home in Donegal.
"I had nausea for three-and-a- half months when food wouldn't stay in my stomach. But on that particular day, which happened to be my birthday, I felt wonderful.
"So Daniel came on and asked how I was and I told him he had made my day. He said he was coming to Omagh, and when he came to switch on the Christmas lights he mentioned my name and wished me all the best. And he phoned me again Thursday fortnight ago at Musgrave to wish me a happy Christmas."
Looking to the future, Doreen has already booked her front row seat at Daniel's concert at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, in April.
She will continue with physiotherapy treatment at Tyrone County Hospital, and will have to attend Musgrave because of the artificial limb.
Now Doreen is looking forward to a peaceful Christmas with her husband, John, who has been a quiet tower of strength throughout her ordeal.
Hard
"People always said 'poor Doreen', but they never thought of poor John. It has been so hard for him. When I was in hospital, there wasn't a day I didn't see him," she said.
Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Frances Edwards, whose home is in The Wirrel, has also helped by writing letters twice a week. Mrs. Edwards who is originally from Omagh, is coming over in January to care for Doreen.
Boxing Day will be a more lively affair as Doreen's son, Rodney, and his wife Amanda, who live in Ballygowan, will bring their two-year-old son, David.
Little David is his grandmother's pride and joy, and she is happy to show photographs of him playing with his grandfather.
When David came to see me in hospital he would say: 'Nanny in bed, Nanny sick'. He is my first grandson and he really is the most lovable child," she said.
Doreen is also eagerly awaiting the return of her faithful Westland Terrier, Jock, which has been looked after by a friend, Isobel McManus, while she was in hospital.
"He is a great wee pet and I missed him so much when I was in hospital. I used to walk him every morning and night, and everybody knew he was my dog. I'll not be able to walk him for a wee while," she said
Doreen admitted that on her return home, she has found it difficult to adjust to her injuries.
"Even today I got frustrated in the kitchen, because there are things I can't do that I could do before. It's terrible when you see things to be done and you can't do them, but I thank the Lord I'm alive and well as I am," she said.
Praying
"Without the help of the Lord I wouldn't be here. He saved by left side. I am left-handed and it could have been the other way. He carried me through. I had so many people all over the world praying for me. I have a sister in Istanbul, and they were even praying for me over there.
"I have good days and bad days, but I thank the Lord now I have more good days. Life is sweet. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy life, but when something like this happens you get your priorities right. All the years I worked I never was off on Christmas Eve, and now I am, not to my wishes, I'd rather be in Wattersons helping."
Now Doreen's priority is getting back to work at Wattersons.
"Through time I'll get there. I'm determined to get there. I'm not the type of person to sit down and let it get to me because if I was I wouldn't be here. I'll be back at Wattersons, they are waiting for me to come back," she said.
"I have a great boss, he's one in a million. Wattersons is a family concern and you are treated like part of the family. Tom Watterson came to see me every week, he was marvellous."
Returning the compliment, Mr Watterson said there would always be a place for Doreen in the store.
"Doreen gave us such faithful service for 22 years, and she is our most valued member of staff. When she visited the shop on Monday we all thought she looked amazingly well. We were quite amazed that she was able to move around so freely.
"We were all delighted. She lifted our spirits for the day. Of course there will always be a place for her in Wattersons. She's still an employee, and 100 per cent part of the team," he said.
Last home
Meanwhile, the last victim of the Omagh bomb to remain in hospital, Mrs. Tracey Devine, returned home for Christmas on Tuesday, after spending four months in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Mrs. Devine's 21-month-old daughter, Breda, was one of the youngest victims of the bomb.
Mrs. Devine, who suffered 60 per cent burns, will be spending Christmas with her husband Paul, and Aaron (6), Niamh (4) and Shay (2) at their Donnyboe Road home in Donemana.
DOREEN Preston who miraculously survived the Market Street bomb of August 15, called to visit her workmates in Wattersons drapery shop on Monday morning.
Her surprise visit lifted the spirits of the staff, who are still mourning the loss of the three loyal workers who died in the blast - Veda Short, Ann McCombe and Geraldine Breslin.
After four months in hospital, and walking with the aid of a crutch, Doreen bravely went upstairs to ladies fashions, where she had worked for 22 years, alongside Ann and Geraldine.
"All the girls flocked round me and welcomed me with open arms. Everybody was glad to see me and even the customers came and kissed and hugged me," said Doreen.
But the tears really began to flow when she called at the hosiery department, where her best friend, Veda Short, worked for 20 years.
"When I went over to Veda's department I just broke down and cried and cried. If I had any problems in the shop I would go to Veda, or she would come to me. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, because I worked there for so long and I lost three very good friends," she said.
As if to illustrate the esteem in which Doreen was regarded, a customer telephoned to inquire about her health during her visit to the store, and was astonished when 'the patient' came on the line.
But to look at Doreen, relaxing in her Rogers Villas home, it is difficult to imagine the terrible catalogue of injuries she sustained as a result of the bomb. Immaculately turned out in a stylish knitted top and skirt and with her hair styled to perfection, she has obviously refused to let the atrocity change her cheerful outlook on life.
'Thank the Lord'
"I'm here, thank the Lord, I lost two stone in weight, not that that will do any harm. In the past I often said I would like to have lost some weight but not this way," she joked.
Doreen lost her right leg below the knee, and two fingers on her right hand are gone, but she is coping well with her artificial limb, despite suffering from phantom pains at night, and is simply grateful that she can still comb her hair because she is left-handed.
And there were many other, less obvious, internal injuries to overcome.
"I had a perforated bowel and had part of it removed. My eardrum was burst and my lung was melted, and my heel was just hanging off. Three times I was near to death and then I took a blood disorder, from which very few people survive. I was a fighter," she explained.
Doreen has received over 800 'Get Well' cards and letters from all over the world, and her front room is packed full of presents and flowers she received when she was in hospital.
"I never once dreamed I was so well thought about. People are so caring and loving. Everybody from all religions has been so kind. There are so many nice people, and it only takes one rotten apple to destroy the rest," she said.
Understandably, Doreen hopes that the bombers who carried out the atrocity will be caught and punished.
"I would love them to be caught and would like them to suffer what I have suffered. They injured 250 people and took 29 lives, including three of my best friends. They mowed us down," she said.
"Both communities got it hard. I'm sure everybody thinks like me, I would definitely like them to be caught."
Vague
While her memory of the bomb is vague, she can remember every word of the conversation she had with her best friend Veda when they were on a late lunch break that Saturday afternoon.
"Veda and I were at Kellys Chemist when a police car pulled up. I said to Veda 'There's something terrible wrong', and the police said we could go no further.
We told him we worked in Wattersons, but he said there was a bomb 100 yards from the Courthouse.
"We went down the street and stood chatting to a group of customers. The police sent us further down and as it was cold on our side of the street, we crossed over.
Doreen was standing outside McElroy's shoe shop, chatting to Veda, Geraldine Breslin, Ann McCombe, Olive Hawkes and Linda McCullough, Veda's niece, when the bomb went off.
"I remember being hurled up into the air, and hitting what I thought was a lamppost, but it was the pavement or the ground, and I ended up at the bottom of the pile," she said.
"I screamed and tried to pull my head up and it wouldn't come for ages, but that obviously was because of the people on top of me."
A door was used as a makeshift stretcher to carry Doreen to a Land Rover, which brought her to the County Hospital, from where she was airlifted to Altnagelvin in Londonderry on Saturday night.
She was transferred to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald on Tuesday, August 18, and went to Musgrave Hospital on November 17 until Thursday last. After the bomb, she spent a total of 33 days in intensive care and was too ill to even inquire about her friends.
Tubes
"I was on a ventilator and, according to my husband there were tubes everywhere. It didn't register that me friends were dead. As time went on I kept asking for them until John said Doreen I'm sorry, your best friend Veda is gone."
"Later he told me Ann was dead too. I used to give Ann a lift to work, we were very good friends and we went to Dublin together to see Daniel O'Donnell.
"Weeks after I said to John, 'You have never said how Geraldine is keeping.' I suppose he tried to break it to me as softly as he could."
During her convalescence, Doreen's spirits were lifted by a phone call from her favourite artiste, Daniel O'Donnell, who contacted her from his home in Donegal.
"I had nausea for three-and-a- half months when food wouldn't stay in my stomach. But on that particular day, which happened to be my birthday, I felt wonderful.
"So Daniel came on and asked how I was and I told him he had made my day. He said he was coming to Omagh, and when he came to switch on the Christmas lights he mentioned my name and wished me all the best. And he phoned me again Thursday fortnight ago at Musgrave to wish me a happy Christmas."
Looking to the future, Doreen has already booked her front row seat at Daniel's concert at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, in April.
She will continue with physiotherapy treatment at Tyrone County Hospital, and will have to attend Musgrave because of the artificial limb.
Now Doreen is looking forward to a peaceful Christmas with her husband, John, who has been a quiet tower of strength throughout her ordeal.
Hard
"People always said 'poor Doreen', but they never thought of poor John. It has been so hard for him. When I was in hospital, there wasn't a day I didn't see him," she said.
Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Frances Edwards, whose home is in The Wirrel, has also helped by writing letters twice a week. Mrs. Edwards who is originally from Omagh, is coming over in January to care for Doreen.
Boxing Day will be a more lively affair as Doreen's son, Rodney, and his wife Amanda, who live in Ballygowan, will bring their two-year-old son, David.
Little David is his grandmother's pride and joy, and she is happy to show photographs of him playing with his grandfather.
When David came to see me in hospital he would say: 'Nanny in bed, Nanny sick'. He is my first grandson and he really is the most lovable child," she said.
Doreen is also eagerly awaiting the return of her faithful Westland Terrier, Jock, which has been looked after by a friend, Isobel McManus, while she was in hospital.
"He is a great wee pet and I missed him so much when I was in hospital. I used to walk him every morning and night, and everybody knew he was my dog. I'll not be able to walk him for a wee while," she said
Doreen admitted that on her return home, she has found it difficult to adjust to her injuries.
"Even today I got frustrated in the kitchen, because there are things I can't do that I could do before. It's terrible when you see things to be done and you can't do them, but I thank the Lord I'm alive and well as I am," she said.
Praying
"Without the help of the Lord I wouldn't be here. He saved by left side. I am left-handed and it could have been the other way. He carried me through. I had so many people all over the world praying for me. I have a sister in Istanbul, and they were even praying for me over there.
"I have good days and bad days, but I thank the Lord now I have more good days. Life is sweet. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy life, but when something like this happens you get your priorities right. All the years I worked I never was off on Christmas Eve, and now I am, not to my wishes, I'd rather be in Wattersons helping."
Now Doreen's priority is getting back to work at Wattersons.
"Through time I'll get there. I'm determined to get there. I'm not the type of person to sit down and let it get to me because if I was I wouldn't be here. I'll be back at Wattersons, they are waiting for me to come back," she said.
"I have a great boss, he's one in a million. Wattersons is a family concern and you are treated like part of the family. Tom Watterson came to see me every week, he was marvellous."
Returning the compliment, Mr Watterson said there would always be a place for Doreen in the store.
"Doreen gave us such faithful service for 22 years, and she is our most valued member of staff. When she visited the shop on Monday we all thought she looked amazingly well. We were quite amazed that she was able to move around so freely.
"We were all delighted. She lifted our spirits for the day. Of course there will always be a place for her in Wattersons. She's still an employee, and 100 per cent part of the team," he said.
Last home
Meanwhile, the last victim of the Omagh bomb to remain in hospital, Mrs. Tracey Devine, returned home for Christmas on Tuesday, after spending four months in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Mrs. Devine's 21-month-old daughter, Breda, was one of the youngest victims of the bomb.
Mrs. Devine, who suffered 60 per cent burns, will be spending Christmas with her husband Paul, and Aaron (6), Niamh (4) and Shay (2) at their Donnyboe Road home in Donemana.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1297
Published Date: 23-Dec-98
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