OMAGH VICTIMS GROUP IRKED BY ABSENCE OF MLAs ON OPENING NIGHT
Omagh victims' group irked by absence of MLAs on opening night
BY RONAN McSHERRY
have my full support and I will be calling to talk to them and see how I can help them as a political representa-tive."
Barry McElduff acknowledged that be did receive the message. He said, "In any day I could receive ten invites. Occasionally I fail to respond. I am
DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed that none of West Tyrone's MLAs attended the official opening of victims' group 'Families Moving On' in Omagh on Thursday night.
Bertha McDougall, of the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland, was a special guest at the event.
Project chairman, Kevin Skelton, said he was pleased with the overall attendance but expressed disappointment that none of the invited local MLAs turned up, although the UUP's Ross Hussey provided prior notice that he wouldn't be there.
The other MLAs, Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein), Joe Byrne (SDLP) and Tom Buchanan (DUP), said afterwards that they didn't snub the event and looked forward to engaging with the group in the future.
Mr Buchanan also claimed his office did not receive the e-mail invitation. He said, "I can assure the group that they have my full support and I will be calling to talk to them and see how I can help them as a political representative."
Barry McElduff acknowledged that be did receive the message. He said, "In any day I could receive ten invites. Occasionally I fail to respond. I am very interested in meeting the group to find out what they do. I have already made contact with the organisation to set that up."
Joe Byrne of the SDLP explained that he was aware of the event and had planned to go, however, shortly before the event he had to cancel for personal reasons. "I will be calling to the centre to discuss their initiative and proposals. I am largely in favour of the Families Moving On," he said.
Families Moving On was established to support all those affected by 'terrorist' related incidents during the Troubles in Tyrone.
This includes those who have suffered bereavement, injury or through being traumatised by witnessing any of the incidents in the area.
Despite the absentees, Mr Skelton was delighted with the attendance on Thursday night and believes that the organisation will "continue to go from strength to strength."
Bertha McDougall also pledged her full support to the work of the Omagh 'survivors' group.
Mr Skelton, whose wife Philomena was killed in the 1998 Real IRA bombing of Omagh, said, "Omagh District did not sent a representative either. The chief executive Danny McSorley sent an apology while chairman Frankie Donnelly rang to say he was away on the night. However you would expect they would be to send replacement representatives. There was a large number of representatives of other groups representing victims at the opening and local priest Fr Kevin Mullan, who has been very supportive."
Families Moving On is dependent on funding from the Community Relations Council. It is currently funded until March next year.
Mr Skelton explained, "We hope we will be able to renew the funding next year. Our members come from both communities all over Tyrone. We run a wide variety of services including counselling, skills classes, therapies and first aid courses.
"We also organise trips for people, both young and adults, which helps survivors relate to others with similar experiences.
"There is also a befriending service with volunteers going out to encourage people who may be at home and feel isolated and struggling to deal with their situation."
BY RONAN McSHERRY
have my full support and I will be calling to talk to them and see how I can help them as a political representa-tive."
Barry McElduff acknowledged that be did receive the message. He said, "In any day I could receive ten invites. Occasionally I fail to respond. I am
DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed that none of West Tyrone's MLAs attended the official opening of victims' group 'Families Moving On' in Omagh on Thursday night.
Bertha McDougall, of the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland, was a special guest at the event.
Project chairman, Kevin Skelton, said he was pleased with the overall attendance but expressed disappointment that none of the invited local MLAs turned up, although the UUP's Ross Hussey provided prior notice that he wouldn't be there.
The other MLAs, Barry McElduff (Sinn Fein), Joe Byrne (SDLP) and Tom Buchanan (DUP), said afterwards that they didn't snub the event and looked forward to engaging with the group in the future.
Mr Buchanan also claimed his office did not receive the e-mail invitation. He said, "I can assure the group that they have my full support and I will be calling to talk to them and see how I can help them as a political representative."
Barry McElduff acknowledged that be did receive the message. He said, "In any day I could receive ten invites. Occasionally I fail to respond. I am very interested in meeting the group to find out what they do. I have already made contact with the organisation to set that up."
Joe Byrne of the SDLP explained that he was aware of the event and had planned to go, however, shortly before the event he had to cancel for personal reasons. "I will be calling to the centre to discuss their initiative and proposals. I am largely in favour of the Families Moving On," he said.
Families Moving On was established to support all those affected by 'terrorist' related incidents during the Troubles in Tyrone.
This includes those who have suffered bereavement, injury or through being traumatised by witnessing any of the incidents in the area.
Despite the absentees, Mr Skelton was delighted with the attendance on Thursday night and believes that the organisation will "continue to go from strength to strength."
Bertha McDougall also pledged her full support to the work of the Omagh 'survivors' group.
Mr Skelton, whose wife Philomena was killed in the 1998 Real IRA bombing of Omagh, said, "Omagh District did not sent a representative either. The chief executive Danny McSorley sent an apology while chairman Frankie Donnelly rang to say he was away on the night. However you would expect they would be to send replacement representatives. There was a large number of representatives of other groups representing victims at the opening and local priest Fr Kevin Mullan, who has been very supportive."
Families Moving On is dependent on funding from the Community Relations Council. It is currently funded until March next year.
Mr Skelton explained, "We hope we will be able to renew the funding next year. Our members come from both communities all over Tyrone. We run a wide variety of services including counselling, skills classes, therapies and first aid courses.
"We also organise trips for people, both young and adults, which helps survivors relate to others with similar experiences.
"There is also a befriending service with volunteers going out to encourage people who may be at home and feel isolated and struggling to deal with their situation."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/111
Published Date: 03-Oct-11
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