COUNCIL HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING
Council hold emergency meeting
OMAGH Councillors held an emergency session behind closed doors on Monday to decide how they could give support and help to the entire community, shattered by the Carnival Day bombing.
The crucial meeting was convened on Monday morning where there was unanimous condemnation of the attack on Omagh and its people.
The 'in camera' meeting is reported to have been sombre with "no recriminations and no personal verbal attacks or blame laid."
One councillor said "It was a very dignified meeting, very respectful. We were here to see what we could do for the people of Omagh."
The local authority members, on behalf of the residents of Omagh and the district, offered sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
At the outset of the meeting a one minute silence was held to remember the 28 people who died in the bomb.
Sympathy was also expressed to councillors Oliver Gibson and Crawford McFarland, who both lost relatives in the explosion.
Prayers were led in the Council Chamber by the Vice-Chairman, Allan Rainey.
In a statement issued after the meeting the Council expressed its sincere thanks to the staff of the Tyrone County Hospital and Social Services in the outstanding manner in which they dealt with the casualties of the atrocity.
Tribute was also paid to all emergency services and other hospitals which dealt so promptly with the injured. Councillors agreed that:
* A Book of Condolences is to be opened at all public buildings in the town and will be distributed to all local villages and churches in the area
* An Emergency Co-Ordination Centre was opened at High Street in Omagh at the former site of the Training and Employment Agency. The telephone number is 252599. Representatives from the Northern Ireland Office. Social Security Agency, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Planning Service, Environmental Health and Building Control will be on hand to offer advice.
* A Ceefax page will be set up to provide details of funerals and other arrangements and further details of this will be made available.
* A Memorial Fund Account has been set up at the First Trust Bank at High Street. For anyone wishing to make donations the Account number is 55876365 and the Sort Code is 93 81 30.
* The Council will facilitate the holding of any religious services by making available its leisure centre building which acted as a incident centre
in the aftermath of the bomb.
*Floral tributes may be placed along the footpath at Drumragh Bridge, starting at the Kozy Corner and moving towards Drumragh Car park.
* The Council will be represented at all funerals including those taking place in Buncrana and Spain.
OMAGH Councillors held an emergency session behind closed doors on Monday to decide how they could give support and help to the entire community, shattered by the Carnival Day bombing.
The crucial meeting was convened on Monday morning where there was unanimous condemnation of the attack on Omagh and its people.
The 'in camera' meeting is reported to have been sombre with "no recriminations and no personal verbal attacks or blame laid."
One councillor said "It was a very dignified meeting, very respectful. We were here to see what we could do for the people of Omagh."
The local authority members, on behalf of the residents of Omagh and the district, offered sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
At the outset of the meeting a one minute silence was held to remember the 28 people who died in the bomb.
Sympathy was also expressed to councillors Oliver Gibson and Crawford McFarland, who both lost relatives in the explosion.
Prayers were led in the Council Chamber by the Vice-Chairman, Allan Rainey.
In a statement issued after the meeting the Council expressed its sincere thanks to the staff of the Tyrone County Hospital and Social Services in the outstanding manner in which they dealt with the casualties of the atrocity.
Tribute was also paid to all emergency services and other hospitals which dealt so promptly with the injured. Councillors agreed that:
* A Book of Condolences is to be opened at all public buildings in the town and will be distributed to all local villages and churches in the area
* An Emergency Co-Ordination Centre was opened at High Street in Omagh at the former site of the Training and Employment Agency. The telephone number is 252599. Representatives from the Northern Ireland Office. Social Security Agency, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Planning Service, Environmental Health and Building Control will be on hand to offer advice.
* A Ceefax page will be set up to provide details of funerals and other arrangements and further details of this will be made available.
* A Memorial Fund Account has been set up at the First Trust Bank at High Street. For anyone wishing to make donations the Account number is 55876365 and the Sort Code is 93 81 30.
* The Council will facilitate the holding of any religious services by making available its leisure centre building which acted as a incident centre
in the aftermath of the bomb.
*Floral tributes may be placed along the footpath at Drumragh Bridge, starting at the Kozy Corner and moving towards Drumragh Car park.
* The Council will be represented at all funerals including those taking place in Buncrana and Spain.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0064
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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