BOMB VICTIM RELIEVED AFTER STOLEN CAR RECOVERED AT BORDER
Bomb victim relieved after stolen car recovered at border
A YOUNG woman who suffered serious injuries in the Omagh bomb was this week devastated by the theft of her car, which she relied on to keep mobile.
But her dejection turned to relief yesterday (Wednesday) when the Vauxhall Corsa was discovered intact at Belcoo on the border.
Twenty-one-year-old Diane McCann, daughter of DJ Pio McCann, spent 10 weeks in hospital after the bomb, and underwent two operations on her spine. At the time, there were fears she would never walk again.
On Monday night, just two months after she was given the go ahead to drive, her car was stolen from outside the Classic Filling Station on Omagh's Dromore Road.
Pio explained: "She had just stopped off to buy a packet of sweets for her brother, who had a sore throat, at about 11..30pm, and was only inside for about a minute-and-a-half. She was coming out the door when she saw the car being driven off. She could smell the rubber burning it was being driven so fast.
"The police were called and they brought her home. She was in a terrible state," he added.
He went on to say that the car meant everything to Diane. She had had it for just over a year, and was "completely devastated" when it was stolen, he said.
Independence
"She is only allowed to drive short distances, but the car helps her get around and gives her a bit of independence, as she cannot walk too far. She is still suffering dreadful pains in her back."
Prior to the bomb last August, Diane worked in a boutique in the town, but she has been unable to work since.
Pio explained that she was just getting out and about again, and had returned on Sunday from visiting her sister, Alison, in Liverpool.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, he said the family was delighted the car had been recovered.
Diane was undergoing a physiotherapy session when the news came through. They hope to have the car back today.
A YOUNG woman who suffered serious injuries in the Omagh bomb was this week devastated by the theft of her car, which she relied on to keep mobile.
But her dejection turned to relief yesterday (Wednesday) when the Vauxhall Corsa was discovered intact at Belcoo on the border.
Twenty-one-year-old Diane McCann, daughter of DJ Pio McCann, spent 10 weeks in hospital after the bomb, and underwent two operations on her spine. At the time, there were fears she would never walk again.
On Monday night, just two months after she was given the go ahead to drive, her car was stolen from outside the Classic Filling Station on Omagh's Dromore Road.
Pio explained: "She had just stopped off to buy a packet of sweets for her brother, who had a sore throat, at about 11..30pm, and was only inside for about a minute-and-a-half. She was coming out the door when she saw the car being driven off. She could smell the rubber burning it was being driven so fast.
"The police were called and they brought her home. She was in a terrible state," he added.
He went on to say that the car meant everything to Diane. She had had it for just over a year, and was "completely devastated" when it was stolen, he said.
Independence
"She is only allowed to drive short distances, but the car helps her get around and gives her a bit of independence, as she cannot walk too far. She is still suffering dreadful pains in her back."
Prior to the bomb last August, Diane worked in a boutique in the town, but she has been unable to work since.
Pio explained that she was just getting out and about again, and had returned on Sunday from visiting her sister, Alison, in Liverpool.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, he said the family was delighted the car had been recovered.
Diane was undergoing a physiotherapy session when the news came through. They hope to have the car back today.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1321
Published Date: 04-Mar-99
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