TC/1435

Council hits at 'unfair' bomb response claims
By Olga Bradshaw

Members defend role in helping rebuild Omagh
THE chief executive of Omagh District Council, Mr. John McKinney, has vowed that he will not run from criticism levelled at him and his staff over the administration of projects undertaken in the wake of the Omagh bomb 18 months ago.
The council has come under attack from the Omagh Self-Help and Support Group, which claims that the bereaved of Omagh have been abandoned.
The group also claims that who have been bereaved are demanding an investigation into the administration of a of high-profile projects aimed at raising and distributing money to those most in need as a result of the bombing of Market Street on August 15, 1998.
Its chairman, Mr. Michael Gallagher, this week reiterated that if necessary, the Support Group would seek legal advice on how the Omagh Memorial Fund was handled.
Mr. Gallagher, the father of 21-year-old Adrian, who was one of those killed in the atrocity, called for an investigation into the handling of the three star-studded football matches hosted by Omagh Town FC to raise morale in the town and money for the Omagh Memorial Fund.
They also alleged that Omagh District Council had failed in four ways to support the bereaved and injured.
Their criticism was unanimously condemned by all political parties and independent council members at their monthly meeting on Tuesday night. They slammed the claims as unjustified, scurrilous and unfair.
Mr. McKinney told stunned councillors that the council had not only been criticised for its failure to support the bereaved families, but for failing to manage the Omagh Memorial Fund, which had raised around £5 million for those worst affected by the August 15 atrocity.
Another criticism was that the council had failed to erect a memorial at the site of the bombing; thirdly that the council had failed to oust council member, Mr. Francis Mackey, and finally, that the council .had also failed to provide CCTV in the town centre.
He described the criticism as "very serious, unjustified, and completely unfair".
Referring to the football matches, Mr. McKinney said that, following contact from the chief executive of Manchester United, Martin Edwards, procedures were put in place to have the entire project handled in as transparent manner as possible. To that end the council had appointed an independent auditor to draw up a final tally of the accounts.
"If that has transpired in a small amount of money being donated to the Omagh Fund it is completely unfair to blame this council," he said.
He assured councillors that the officers would take whatever action was necessary if the accounts, which are to be published within the next week, were found wanting. He stressed that the onus for accountability for the money did not lie with the council, but with Omagh Town FC.
Replying to criticism that the council had failed to erect CCTV in the town centre, Mr. McKinney said that the council had put up £3,000 to fund a report and community consultation on the issue.
He said the fact that the council had parted with the money showed its commitment to the town, as did parting with £14,000 a short time ago to fund a re-imaging strategy for Omagh - one aspect of which was to look at CCTV.
Referring to the council's alleged failure to oust Councillor Mackey, the chief executive said that it was not within the power of the council to take such a step.
He said that Mr. Mackey was an elected member, and the council did not have the power to 'de-elect' him.
"This attack is unjustified and unfair," he said, adding: "I am speaking from my side of the fence, this council has 21 councillors, I hope you speak for yourselves."
Insult
The council chairman, Mr. Allan Rainey, slammed the criticism as "an insult launched against us".
He said that, as vice-chairman and chairman of the council in the intervening time since the bombing, he had been close to the hub of what had been happening in the town.
"I would like to feel that" I have given quite a lot of support to a lot of the things that were set up and the fundraising efforts put in place. "Our chief executive and fellow officers in this council have gone far beyond the roles that anyone could humbly expect of them to facilitate and assist with the accumulation of the Fund that was set up.
"I have been in many places where our chief executive and fellow officers have influenced many influential people and their generosity to the Fund that was established."
As to how it was distributed, Mr. Rainey commented: "I an quite sure the members of the Trust that were selected, and who are looking after our interests, have given their all to ensure that these were executed fairly and honourably."
Mr. Rainey added that he was "saddened and disappointed" at the content of the story which appeared in a daily paper.
Mr. Oliver Gibson said the integrity of the council was being questioned.and he had heard nothing of the allegations from local people, other than some people casually mentioning something.
"After most of these tragedies it takes around four years to get anything done. Various comments are being made about things which are outside the council's remit.
"The truth is we have to unite and show a united front. We do not have any alternative," he said.
He went on to urge the council officers to seek legal advice about the charges levelled at the council, and added that the council had the right to defend itself.
Mr. Reuben McKelvey said some of the stories were an insult to the chief executive, who, together with his staff, had to be supported.
Replying to claims that he should be prevented from taking his seat in the council chamber, Mr. Mackey said that members of the council and officials had met others who had gone through similar large-scale tragedies, who had warned that some form of backlash would take place.
He said there was no mechanism in place by which he could be expelled, and added that he was given a mandate to sit on the council and would allow the people to judge whether or not he had fulfiled it.
Lobbying
Mr. Joe Byrne commented: "In the immediate aftermath of the bomb this council decided to set up a group of Trustees to look after the Omagh Fund. We believed it was the only way it could be managed and organised. If the council had direct involvement we would have been open to lobbying," he said.
Mr. Byrne said he could not understand why there was a dispute being portrayed as there had been consultation and wide support for all parties involved.
Referring to the alleged failure of the council to oust Mr. Mackey, he said that it was the people who had elected him and it was not within the council's remit to put him out of the chamber.
Commenting on the provision of CCTV in Omagh town centre, he said that a prolonged debate had taken place recently at which time he had told traders that the council had been asked to make a very big decision.
"The only thing we could do was to agree to spend £3,000 to help carry out a substantial report into the feasibility of having CCTV in Omagh. We all felt we should not commit the council to large revenue expenditure until an investigation was done," he said.
He said it was disappointing that sniping has taken place, and added that the chief executive had been "widely recognised" beyond Omagh for the work he had done.
"When I travel about it has been remarked to me how sensitive all the events were, and the general demeanour that was displayed by the officials was welcomed. It was an extremely difficult time and it has not been recognised the extent of the strain and pressure the officials were under for a long time," he added.
Mr. Paddy McGowan said it amazed him how anyone could blame the council.
He said not one of the councillors was aware of anything to do with the administration of the Omagh Fund, nor had they any dealings with or been approached by anyone who had received money from it.
"The chief executive gave us a board of people who were involved with the Memorial Fund. They are not councillors and they can give their assessment of what has happened. They are are more aware of what is happening with the Fund than I am as a councillor.
He went on to say that the council members did not organise any football matches, and as such had nothing to do with the situation that had now arisen.
He said the situation was absurd, and added that there were enough people out to provide answers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Johnny McLaughlin said the chief executive and his staff could not be praised enough for their work.
He said that the council had no remit when it came to the organisation of the football matches, and added that the introduction of CCTV, he felt, would be an infringement of civil liberties of the ordinary people of Omagh.
Mr. Pat McDonnell said the issue of the Omagh Fund should be given an in-depth look 'in committee' and if no management defaults were found the council should then have the courage and confidence to tackle what had been levelled at it.