VOICE ROLE FOR SCREEN STAR NEESON IN TV FILM ON YOUNG BOMB VICTIMS
Voice role for screen star Neeson in TV film on young bomb victims
AWARD WINNING actor, Liam Neeson, is to provide the narration for a television documentary about two young victims of the Omagh bomb.
The Ballymena born actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Schindler's List', and who is currently promoting the new 'Star Wars' blockbuster, said he was happy to be involved in such a worthy project.
The documentary, provisionally titled 'Omagh the Legacy', is to be screened nationally on the first anniversary of the Market Street atrocity Sunday, August 15, at 9.30pm on BBC 2.
The Hollywood actor agreed to add his voice to the film after he was approached by independent film-maker, lain Webster.
Mr. Webster, who set up Network Media, in Holywood, Co. Down, in October, having spent three years working as news editor on the BBC's Newsline 6.30 programme, is to travel to New York in May to meet the actor and record the voice track.
"I thought Liam was the obvious choice because of his worldwide appeal. He has such a powerful compassionate voice," said Mr. Webster.
"I initially contacted him through his Belfast solicitor. Then, while I was sitting at home one evening with my family, Liam's personal assistant rang from New York to ask whether I could send over some footage for Liam to have a look at. Two weeks later I received another phone call from Liam's agent to say he was interested, and wanted to be involved in telling such a powerful and poignant story.
Moved
"He said Liam had been moved by what had happened in Omagh and had followed events there. He told me Liam's heart had gone out to those who had been hurt or killed in the bomb," Mr. Webster said.
This is the first 40 minute documentary Mr. Webster has completed under the auspicious of his new production company, Network Media.
There is a possibility that the film, which has been commissioned by the BBC, will also be shown on RTE, and there is also interest from America and Australia.
Mr. Webster has been working for over eight months on the project, which documents the lives of young victims, Claire Gallagher (15), who was blinded in the blast, and 10-year-old Stephen Coyle, who suffered horrific injuries to his spleen and his shoulder.
"Having heard about the bomb, while I was still working for the BBC, I felt someone should capture the agony and suffering of those who had been caught in the blast so that their struggle would not be forgotten," said Mr. Webster.
"I approached Pat Loughry, the controller of BBC Northern Ireland, and he agreed that a film should be made.
"I began my research about two weeks after the bomb, phoning around the various hospitals where the injured had been taken. I then approached the families first Stephen's parents. Francis and Linda, who said it was OK for me to start filming and later Claire's family," he said.
Mr. Webster said he first met Stephen and his family while he was still in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Painful process
"Stephen's recovery has been a painful process. He had 12 operations and, with the permission of the family and the hospital, I was able to go into the theatre and film a couple of them," he said.
"I captured some of the important events on his road to recovery such as the day he celebrated his 10th birthday in hospital, the day he went back to his school - St. Mary's Boys Primary School, Strabane - Stephen's visit to a Manchester United football match, and the psychotherapy he has been receiving since the bomb."
Stephen and his family, who live in Strabane, where coming out of Nicholl and Shiels shop when the bomb exploded.
Stephen was the first to come out of the shop and was blown off his feet. His father and mother also received injuries. They were taken to hospital in a mini bus by a group of Dublin shoppers who were in the town for the day.
Mr. Webster said: "Stephen's recovery has been such a long and painful one, but he has a lot to look forward to. He is currently in NASA, on a trip which was organised by an Irish charity, and is planning to climb a mountain with his father, who is a member of a mountain rescue team. The RAF has also promised him a trip in a helicopter, because he wanted to meet and thank those who helped air lift him to Belfast after the explosion."
Talking about Omagh girl, Claire Gallagher, who will be 16 on May 26, Mr. Webster said: "Claire's recovery has been a slow one. She has had four operations in all, and she has been very brave throughout.
White House
"I filmed Claire's first meeting with the Clintons, and remembered Hillary inviting Claire to the White House. After that I phoned the White House several times to see if this would be possible, and then shortly before St. Patrick's Day, Claire received a phone call from musician, Phil Coulter, who invited her and her family to the White House to play for the President.
"I accompanied them, and it was impressive to see Claire play so well in front of over 1,000 people. She played the tune 'Carrickfergus', having only rehearsed twice before that. Her father told me that while he was watching her perform, it occurred to him that she was a symbol for the terrible struggle of the people of Omagh," he said.
Other memorable events to be captured on film, include Claire's return to school on October 6, the day she met Boyzone and was filmed for the Noel Edmunds programme.
"This is a story of the courage and strength. shown by these two children. It will be years, if ever, before they can come to terms with what has happened. I have been privileged to be a part of their recovery to date," said Mr. Webster, who added that throughout the project he had operated the camera, sound, lights and written the script.
"I have a few more sequences to film before it is finished."
AWARD WINNING actor, Liam Neeson, is to provide the narration for a television documentary about two young victims of the Omagh bomb.
The Ballymena born actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Schindler's List', and who is currently promoting the new 'Star Wars' blockbuster, said he was happy to be involved in such a worthy project.
The documentary, provisionally titled 'Omagh the Legacy', is to be screened nationally on the first anniversary of the Market Street atrocity Sunday, August 15, at 9.30pm on BBC 2.
The Hollywood actor agreed to add his voice to the film after he was approached by independent film-maker, lain Webster.
Mr. Webster, who set up Network Media, in Holywood, Co. Down, in October, having spent three years working as news editor on the BBC's Newsline 6.30 programme, is to travel to New York in May to meet the actor and record the voice track.
"I thought Liam was the obvious choice because of his worldwide appeal. He has such a powerful compassionate voice," said Mr. Webster.
"I initially contacted him through his Belfast solicitor. Then, while I was sitting at home one evening with my family, Liam's personal assistant rang from New York to ask whether I could send over some footage for Liam to have a look at. Two weeks later I received another phone call from Liam's agent to say he was interested, and wanted to be involved in telling such a powerful and poignant story.
Moved
"He said Liam had been moved by what had happened in Omagh and had followed events there. He told me Liam's heart had gone out to those who had been hurt or killed in the bomb," Mr. Webster said.
This is the first 40 minute documentary Mr. Webster has completed under the auspicious of his new production company, Network Media.
There is a possibility that the film, which has been commissioned by the BBC, will also be shown on RTE, and there is also interest from America and Australia.
Mr. Webster has been working for over eight months on the project, which documents the lives of young victims, Claire Gallagher (15), who was blinded in the blast, and 10-year-old Stephen Coyle, who suffered horrific injuries to his spleen and his shoulder.
"Having heard about the bomb, while I was still working for the BBC, I felt someone should capture the agony and suffering of those who had been caught in the blast so that their struggle would not be forgotten," said Mr. Webster.
"I approached Pat Loughry, the controller of BBC Northern Ireland, and he agreed that a film should be made.
"I began my research about two weeks after the bomb, phoning around the various hospitals where the injured had been taken. I then approached the families first Stephen's parents. Francis and Linda, who said it was OK for me to start filming and later Claire's family," he said.
Mr. Webster said he first met Stephen and his family while he was still in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Painful process
"Stephen's recovery has been a painful process. He had 12 operations and, with the permission of the family and the hospital, I was able to go into the theatre and film a couple of them," he said.
"I captured some of the important events on his road to recovery such as the day he celebrated his 10th birthday in hospital, the day he went back to his school - St. Mary's Boys Primary School, Strabane - Stephen's visit to a Manchester United football match, and the psychotherapy he has been receiving since the bomb."
Stephen and his family, who live in Strabane, where coming out of Nicholl and Shiels shop when the bomb exploded.
Stephen was the first to come out of the shop and was blown off his feet. His father and mother also received injuries. They were taken to hospital in a mini bus by a group of Dublin shoppers who were in the town for the day.
Mr. Webster said: "Stephen's recovery has been such a long and painful one, but he has a lot to look forward to. He is currently in NASA, on a trip which was organised by an Irish charity, and is planning to climb a mountain with his father, who is a member of a mountain rescue team. The RAF has also promised him a trip in a helicopter, because he wanted to meet and thank those who helped air lift him to Belfast after the explosion."
Talking about Omagh girl, Claire Gallagher, who will be 16 on May 26, Mr. Webster said: "Claire's recovery has been a slow one. She has had four operations in all, and she has been very brave throughout.
White House
"I filmed Claire's first meeting with the Clintons, and remembered Hillary inviting Claire to the White House. After that I phoned the White House several times to see if this would be possible, and then shortly before St. Patrick's Day, Claire received a phone call from musician, Phil Coulter, who invited her and her family to the White House to play for the President.
"I accompanied them, and it was impressive to see Claire play so well in front of over 1,000 people. She played the tune 'Carrickfergus', having only rehearsed twice before that. Her father told me that while he was watching her perform, it occurred to him that she was a symbol for the terrible struggle of the people of Omagh," he said.
Other memorable events to be captured on film, include Claire's return to school on October 6, the day she met Boyzone and was filmed for the Noel Edmunds programme.
"This is a story of the courage and strength. shown by these two children. It will be years, if ever, before they can come to terms with what has happened. I have been privileged to be a part of their recovery to date," said Mr. Webster, who added that throughout the project he had operated the camera, sound, lights and written the script.
"I have a few more sequences to film before it is finished."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1345
Published Date: 29-Apr-99
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