QUEEN'S OMAGH U-TURN
QUEEN'S OMAGH U-TURN
By TED OLIVER and JILLY BEATTIE
She visits bomb site after protests
THE Queen stopped off at the site of the Omagh bomb yesterday in a last-minute itinerary change which averted a major row.
Officials hurriedly made plans for her to visit the street where terrorists murdered 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, after furious protests to senior civil servants.
Michael Gallagher, a father of one of the victims, declared: "This will send out a powerful message that the people in high places have not forgotten Omagh, and are standing with the people affected who will be very encouraged by this."
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the Co Tyrone town to visit the library and meet charity officials.
But there had been no plans to go the bomb site, or the memorial garden close by, even though she was passing on her way to lunch at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn at Baronscourt near Newtownstewart, 10 miles away.
Protests, including one from Mr Gallagher, were lodged with the Northern Ireland Office which helped prepare arrangements for the visit. But then there was a change of plans, with Buckingham Palace confirming "a last-minute decision" in recognition of what happened in Omagh.
Secretary of State Dr John Reid stood with the Queen on the spot the car bomb exploded in August 1998, pointing out to her where the blast had shattered buildings and scythed through crowds of people.
The Queen spent several minutes listening to Dr Reid's description of the horror, looking up at buildings on both sides of Market Street.
One side of the street has been rebuilt, while construction work continues on the other.
When her convoy of cars moved off it slowed to snail's pace to allow her to have brief glimpse of the memorial garden created in memory of the victims of the bomb.
Politicians on all sides in Omagh last night claimed the Queen's visit would have been overshawdowed had she not stopped off.
Mr Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, telephoned the NIO just ahead of the Queen's visit to express his disgust.
He later met her with other Omagh relatives at a garden party at Loughery Agriculture College, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Speaking after meeting the Queen, Mr Gallagher said: "The people that advised on this visit weren't in touch with the people directly affected in Omagh.
"It would have thrown some sort of shadow over this visit if she hadn't gone to the bomb site."
Mr Gallagher said it was vital that Royal visitors met people like him, there was "a movement in Northern Ireland to try to ignore the past". He added that it would be nice if members of the Royal family could "come back and just visit victims".
He said she had been "sympathetic and very understanding" after asking how his son had been caught up in the bombing and being told it was while out shopping for a pair of jeans.
Mr Gallagher said there was no doubt why the Queen had gone to Omagh - because of the bombing - and it would have been wrong and misguided for her not to have visited the site.
He said no blame should be attached to the Queen for the original decision to exclude it but instead on those advisers who drew up her itinerary. He added: "Omagh is an insignificant backwater town and I don't see anything of significance here that would mean the Queen would normally come here.
"Certainly there is no greater reason to come than to show solidarity with the people affected by the worst atrocity in Europe in 1998 and in Northern Ireland in 30 years."
The Queen visited Stormont last night on her three-day visit to mark her golden jubilee.
No one was taking responsibility for the original decision.
The NIO said there was always "flexibility in the programme" but a Palace source said it had never been put to them by the NIO that the Queen should go to the scene of the bomb.
Earlier the Queen met victims of the IRA Poppy Day bomb at Enniskillen and the La Mon House atrocity.
By TED OLIVER and JILLY BEATTIE
She visits bomb site after protests
THE Queen stopped off at the site of the Omagh bomb yesterday in a last-minute itinerary change which averted a major row.
Officials hurriedly made plans for her to visit the street where terrorists murdered 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, after furious protests to senior civil servants.
Michael Gallagher, a father of one of the victims, declared: "This will send out a powerful message that the people in high places have not forgotten Omagh, and are standing with the people affected who will be very encouraged by this."
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelled to the Co Tyrone town to visit the library and meet charity officials.
But there had been no plans to go the bomb site, or the memorial garden close by, even though she was passing on her way to lunch at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn at Baronscourt near Newtownstewart, 10 miles away.
Protests, including one from Mr Gallagher, were lodged with the Northern Ireland Office which helped prepare arrangements for the visit. But then there was a change of plans, with Buckingham Palace confirming "a last-minute decision" in recognition of what happened in Omagh.
Secretary of State Dr John Reid stood with the Queen on the spot the car bomb exploded in August 1998, pointing out to her where the blast had shattered buildings and scythed through crowds of people.
The Queen spent several minutes listening to Dr Reid's description of the horror, looking up at buildings on both sides of Market Street.
One side of the street has been rebuilt, while construction work continues on the other.
When her convoy of cars moved off it slowed to snail's pace to allow her to have brief glimpse of the memorial garden created in memory of the victims of the bomb.
Politicians on all sides in Omagh last night claimed the Queen's visit would have been overshawdowed had she not stopped off.
Mr Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, telephoned the NIO just ahead of the Queen's visit to express his disgust.
He later met her with other Omagh relatives at a garden party at Loughery Agriculture College, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Speaking after meeting the Queen, Mr Gallagher said: "The people that advised on this visit weren't in touch with the people directly affected in Omagh.
"It would have thrown some sort of shadow over this visit if she hadn't gone to the bomb site."
Mr Gallagher said it was vital that Royal visitors met people like him, there was "a movement in Northern Ireland to try to ignore the past". He added that it would be nice if members of the Royal family could "come back and just visit victims".
He said she had been "sympathetic and very understanding" after asking how his son had been caught up in the bombing and being told it was while out shopping for a pair of jeans.
Mr Gallagher said there was no doubt why the Queen had gone to Omagh - because of the bombing - and it would have been wrong and misguided for her not to have visited the site.
He said no blame should be attached to the Queen for the original decision to exclude it but instead on those advisers who drew up her itinerary. He added: "Omagh is an insignificant backwater town and I don't see anything of significance here that would mean the Queen would normally come here.
"Certainly there is no greater reason to come than to show solidarity with the people affected by the worst atrocity in Europe in 1998 and in Northern Ireland in 30 years."
The Queen visited Stormont last night on her three-day visit to mark her golden jubilee.
No one was taking responsibility for the original decision.
The NIO said there was always "flexibility in the programme" but a Palace source said it had never been put to them by the NIO that the Queen should go to the scene of the bomb.
Earlier the Queen met victims of the IRA Poppy Day bomb at Enniskillen and the La Mon House atrocity.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/157
Published Date: 15-May-02
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