POLICE OFFICERS TELL OF CARE FOR THE INJURED AND SEARCHES FOR THE MISSING
Police officers tell of care for the injured and searches for the missing
Sergeant Trevor Irvine, who was based in Newtownstewart, on the day of the bomb told the court how he had heard about the warnings on the police radio transmissions and had driven at speed towards Omagh. He was posted to the Royal Arms Mews to prevent further persons from entering the town centre, he said. The sergeant told of how he ran towards Market Street after he heard the explosion and was met by people who were screaming many of who had blood on their clothes from cuts.
He saw the remains of the car still smoking in the street. The police witness described how all around there were people lying on the ground
"Some were attempting to move while others appeared dead," he said.
His evidence revealed that he helped an injured heavy-built male who was naked apart from his underpants. The injured man was asking for help for his fiancee who was naked except for her underwear but had facial injuries. The officer identified the man as survivor Gary McGillion from Newtownstewart and his fiancee.
The witness told the court that he also found the body of a child who had no pulse He said it was a male child of around 12 years of age.
He told of how he helped another injured young dark haired girl whom he could not identify. The officer then saw a shocked woman inside a shop standing knee deep in things that had been blown off the shops' shelves. He called to the woman to throw him a large teddy bear, which he then used to support the young girl's head.
The court also heard how Sergeant Irvine had searched relentlessly for a trace of Debra Anne Cartwright, who was the daughter of a police colleague.
The officer searched the hospital, searched at Omagh leisure centre, and at 11.30pm as a result of information, broke the news to the Cartwright family that their daughter had been killed. He then went to Lisanelly Barracks at 2am on August 16, to make arrangements to have the remains prepared.
Another police witness, Sergeant Peter Salter explained to the court in his evidence that he was in the area of Sally O'Brien's Pub on John Street as requested by communications received by radio transmission following the bomb warning.
The court heard how he administered first aid to the injured using his personal issue first aid pouch. He observed people with severe head injuries, lacerations and some had injuries to the chest and limbs.
The witness said that the majority of those he believed to be deceased were lying on the right side of the roadway.
He told of how he had seen a large amount of water with several people lying face down with the water flowing around them.
When cross-examined he said that he remembered that those lying on the ground were three or four people, mainly males who were in their late teens and twenties.
He recounted that there was also a smell in the air which was "unusual and distinct."
The officer told of how he progressed along Market Street he helped those injured in the blast.
He said that he helped a young lady with auburn hair and medium slim build who had a severe stomach injury. The witness revealed that he spoke to her and tried to reassure her before leaving her with a member of the public.
The police officer also told of how he went into the premises of the Pine Emporium and found a middle aged woman lying on the ground, he was unable to find any pulse in the victim, who was later identified as Mrs Elizabeth Rushe.
There were live electric wires hanging from the building and the police officer got an electric shock after inadvertently touching them.
Sergeant Salter said that as he attempted to lift some of the victims, body parts came apart in his hands.
He also helped the military doctor in his effort to confirm that persons remaining were deceased and that life was extinct.
The court heard how the sergeant was supposed to go to Kilkeel that day as a band parade was due to take place that day.
Mr Mansfield asked the sergeant if the vehicles of the mobile support unit (MSU) had a public address system or recording facility.
The sergeant replied that only some of the vehicles were fitted with public address systems. He also said that the vehicles would have been equipped with riot shields and equipment.
Mr Richie objected to Mr Mansfield's line of questioning slating that it was "irrelevant to the central issue", which he said was to determine how these people met their deaths when the cross examination ended for this witness.
Sergeant Trevor Irvine, who was based in Newtownstewart, on the day of the bomb told the court how he had heard about the warnings on the police radio transmissions and had driven at speed towards Omagh. He was posted to the Royal Arms Mews to prevent further persons from entering the town centre, he said. The sergeant told of how he ran towards Market Street after he heard the explosion and was met by people who were screaming many of who had blood on their clothes from cuts.
He saw the remains of the car still smoking in the street. The police witness described how all around there were people lying on the ground
"Some were attempting to move while others appeared dead," he said.
His evidence revealed that he helped an injured heavy-built male who was naked apart from his underpants. The injured man was asking for help for his fiancee who was naked except for her underwear but had facial injuries. The officer identified the man as survivor Gary McGillion from Newtownstewart and his fiancee.
The witness told the court that he also found the body of a child who had no pulse He said it was a male child of around 12 years of age.
He told of how he helped another injured young dark haired girl whom he could not identify. The officer then saw a shocked woman inside a shop standing knee deep in things that had been blown off the shops' shelves. He called to the woman to throw him a large teddy bear, which he then used to support the young girl's head.
The court also heard how Sergeant Irvine had searched relentlessly for a trace of Debra Anne Cartwright, who was the daughter of a police colleague.
The officer searched the hospital, searched at Omagh leisure centre, and at 11.30pm as a result of information, broke the news to the Cartwright family that their daughter had been killed. He then went to Lisanelly Barracks at 2am on August 16, to make arrangements to have the remains prepared.
Another police witness, Sergeant Peter Salter explained to the court in his evidence that he was in the area of Sally O'Brien's Pub on John Street as requested by communications received by radio transmission following the bomb warning.
The court heard how he administered first aid to the injured using his personal issue first aid pouch. He observed people with severe head injuries, lacerations and some had injuries to the chest and limbs.
The witness said that the majority of those he believed to be deceased were lying on the right side of the roadway.
He told of how he had seen a large amount of water with several people lying face down with the water flowing around them.
When cross-examined he said that he remembered that those lying on the ground were three or four people, mainly males who were in their late teens and twenties.
He recounted that there was also a smell in the air which was "unusual and distinct."
The officer told of how he progressed along Market Street he helped those injured in the blast.
He said that he helped a young lady with auburn hair and medium slim build who had a severe stomach injury. The witness revealed that he spoke to her and tried to reassure her before leaving her with a member of the public.
The police officer also told of how he went into the premises of the Pine Emporium and found a middle aged woman lying on the ground, he was unable to find any pulse in the victim, who was later identified as Mrs Elizabeth Rushe.
There were live electric wires hanging from the building and the police officer got an electric shock after inadvertently touching them.
Sergeant Salter said that as he attempted to lift some of the victims, body parts came apart in his hands.
He also helped the military doctor in his effort to confirm that persons remaining were deceased and that life was extinct.
The court heard how the sergeant was supposed to go to Kilkeel that day as a band parade was due to take place that day.
Mr Mansfield asked the sergeant if the vehicles of the mobile support unit (MSU) had a public address system or recording facility.
The sergeant replied that only some of the vehicles were fitted with public address systems. He also said that the vehicles would have been equipped with riot shields and equipment.
Mr Richie objected to Mr Mansfield's line of questioning slating that it was "irrelevant to the central issue", which he said was to determine how these people met their deaths when the cross examination ended for this witness.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1534
Published Date: 14-Sep-00
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