PRINCE OF WALES PAYS VISIT TO OMAGH
Prince of Wales pays visit to Omagh
PRINCE CHARLES paid a moral boosting visit to Omagh on Tuesday to meet the people of the town.
He called at Lisanelly Barracks - which was the temporary morgue, the Tyrone County Hospital and he visited the scene of Saturday's bomb.
Tight security surrounded the Royal visit with the Market Street area being sealed off and police and army checking manholes and lighting standards from early morning.
His first stop was to the morgue where he met members of the emergency services, who gave first hand accounts of what they did following the explosion.
He then proceeded to the hill in front of the courthouse - the site where police were informed the bomb was located - and he met upward of one thousand people who turned out to welcome him.
The Prince was accompanied by the First Minister, David Trimble. Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam and Willie Thompson, local MP.
The entourage swept into town amidst strict security with outriders alongside each of the cars. Marksmen also were on rooftops surrounding the Job Centre, which has been converted temporarily into an Emergency Centre.
By the time the Prince arrived in the town centre, he was already running almost two hours behind time, but according to his staff, he wanted to take the opportunity to talk with the bereaved.
The silence which has prevailed in the town of Omagh since the bomb shattered it just five days ago, continued even as the crowd swelled in numbers to over a thousand.
The only sound which punctuated the silence was the sound of the diggers at the other end of the town, as work began on clearing up the site of the massacre, and a helicopter circling overhead.
The sun shone for the visit reminding people of the last sunny afternoon in Omagh, the peacefulness of which was shattered by the 500lb bomb, which in a split second changed the lives of the people of Omagh forever. The Prince was very sympathetic with the families with whom he spoke, and said the memories he has of his uncle, Lord Mountbatten, allows him to understand in some way the grief they are experiencing.
He said he was shattered at what had happened in Omagh, and he wanted through the visit to show his support for everyone. "The least I can do is come here and show the sympathy and support especially to those who cared for the injured like the doctors, nurses, security forces and emergency services" said Prince Charles.
He said the bomb was a desperate tragedy which reminded him of the Enniskillen bombing and his uncle's nineteen years ago.
Adding to the hundreds of floral tributes, Prince Charles laid a bouquet of flowers near the scene.
Speaking afterwards, some local people felt Prince Charles' trip to the town did boost morale, and said it was good to see normality return - even if just for a while.
However, others said his trip would be no consolation to those who had died, and that 'you never see anyone visit Omagh unless there is something wrong'.
David Trimble, who was accompanying the Prince on his walkabout in High Street, was lobbied by a local community activist to make sure the Tyrone County Hospital does not close.
It was pointed out to the First Minister that had the Tyrone County not been open, many more would have died on the journey to other hospitals.
Not committing himself, Mr Trimble said he felt the future of the hospital would most likely be under the remit of the Assembly, and it would be discussed there.
On a lighter note, Mo Mowlam delighted the waiting crowd when she came to the aid of two young Omagh girls who had been waiting with their Mum for a long while to get a glimpse of the Prince.
Upon hearing that Shauna Rodgers and Sheena Toal of Sperrin Park, did not get to see the royal visitor, Dr Mowlam promptly helped them over the barricade and carrying one, she followed the Prince, who stopped immediately and shook the girls' hands.
Prince Charles then continued his visit to the actual bomb site and to where flowers are laid at Drumragh Avenue.
He then went to the Tyrone County Hospital where he spent time with the survivors of Saturday's bomb.
PRINCE CHARLES paid a moral boosting visit to Omagh on Tuesday to meet the people of the town.
He called at Lisanelly Barracks - which was the temporary morgue, the Tyrone County Hospital and he visited the scene of Saturday's bomb.
Tight security surrounded the Royal visit with the Market Street area being sealed off and police and army checking manholes and lighting standards from early morning.
His first stop was to the morgue where he met members of the emergency services, who gave first hand accounts of what they did following the explosion.
He then proceeded to the hill in front of the courthouse - the site where police were informed the bomb was located - and he met upward of one thousand people who turned out to welcome him.
The Prince was accompanied by the First Minister, David Trimble. Deputy First Minister, Seamus Mallon, the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam and Willie Thompson, local MP.
The entourage swept into town amidst strict security with outriders alongside each of the cars. Marksmen also were on rooftops surrounding the Job Centre, which has been converted temporarily into an Emergency Centre.
By the time the Prince arrived in the town centre, he was already running almost two hours behind time, but according to his staff, he wanted to take the opportunity to talk with the bereaved.
The silence which has prevailed in the town of Omagh since the bomb shattered it just five days ago, continued even as the crowd swelled in numbers to over a thousand.
The only sound which punctuated the silence was the sound of the diggers at the other end of the town, as work began on clearing up the site of the massacre, and a helicopter circling overhead.
The sun shone for the visit reminding people of the last sunny afternoon in Omagh, the peacefulness of which was shattered by the 500lb bomb, which in a split second changed the lives of the people of Omagh forever. The Prince was very sympathetic with the families with whom he spoke, and said the memories he has of his uncle, Lord Mountbatten, allows him to understand in some way the grief they are experiencing.
He said he was shattered at what had happened in Omagh, and he wanted through the visit to show his support for everyone. "The least I can do is come here and show the sympathy and support especially to those who cared for the injured like the doctors, nurses, security forces and emergency services" said Prince Charles.
He said the bomb was a desperate tragedy which reminded him of the Enniskillen bombing and his uncle's nineteen years ago.
Adding to the hundreds of floral tributes, Prince Charles laid a bouquet of flowers near the scene.
Speaking afterwards, some local people felt Prince Charles' trip to the town did boost morale, and said it was good to see normality return - even if just for a while.
However, others said his trip would be no consolation to those who had died, and that 'you never see anyone visit Omagh unless there is something wrong'.
David Trimble, who was accompanying the Prince on his walkabout in High Street, was lobbied by a local community activist to make sure the Tyrone County Hospital does not close.
It was pointed out to the First Minister that had the Tyrone County not been open, many more would have died on the journey to other hospitals.
Not committing himself, Mr Trimble said he felt the future of the hospital would most likely be under the remit of the Assembly, and it would be discussed there.
On a lighter note, Mo Mowlam delighted the waiting crowd when she came to the aid of two young Omagh girls who had been waiting with their Mum for a long while to get a glimpse of the Prince.
Upon hearing that Shauna Rodgers and Sheena Toal of Sperrin Park, did not get to see the royal visitor, Dr Mowlam promptly helped them over the barricade and carrying one, she followed the Prince, who stopped immediately and shook the girls' hands.
Prince Charles then continued his visit to the actual bomb site and to where flowers are laid at Drumragh Avenue.
He then went to the Tyrone County Hospital where he spent time with the survivors of Saturday's bomb.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0074
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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