LEEDS UNITED BOSS VISITS BOMB VICTIMS
Leeds United boss visits bomb victims
LEEDS United boss, George Graham made a surprise visit to the Erne Hospital last week when he met two Castlederg sisters who were injured in the Omagh bomb.
Their ' blind date' was arranged by Fermanagh District Council and hospital management after a planned photo-call with 8-year old Emmet McLaughlin, from Buncrana, a fellow bomb victim fell through.
However, Mr Graham, who was accompanied by the club's Press Officer, was able to have a private chat with Emmet and, before leaving to meet sisters, Clare (16) and Eilish (26) McLaughlin, from Killen, the VIPs presented Emmet with a signed Leeds United shirt, a football and two signed team photos and pendant.
The sisters, who were working in shops opposite each other in Market Street, were chatting to a friend during the evacuation when the bomb went off.
Eilish recalled the scene when the bomb went off: "It was total mayhem. All you saw was fire and smoke. You couldn't see anybody's face and it was by good luck that I was able to pull Clare from out of one of the shop signs".
Clare sustained back injuries and Eilish burns on her hand, the side of her face and her back, all caused by red-hot pieces of the car containing the bomb.
Neither could find the friend they were talking to and it was only after they had been admitted to the Erne that they discovered she was in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Both paid tribute to the hospital's nurses and doctors for the care they had received.
Yugoslavia-born Liz Dimtrijevic, Leeds United's Press Officer, said the club regularly visited children in hospital and invited young people to the club's training ground.
"Emmet was really pleased with what he got and George has invited him over when he is fit to watch the players train and to come to a game and we are delighted to be able to do that.
"It was just a small thing but it really brightened him up. We couldn't ask the team down (from Dublin) but he will meet them when he comes over".
The team had arrived in Ireland to play Shelboume that evening. Mr Graham and Liz flew to St Angelo by helicopter and were met on their arrival by the Chairman, Patrick McCaffrey and the chief executive, Aideen McGinley of Fermanagh District Council and driven to the hospital.
The two VIPs did not go away empty-handed. Mr Graham received a Fermanagh District Council tie and a plaque bearing the Council's coat of arms and Ms Dimtrijevic a Belleek plate bearing the Council's coat of arms and a Council neckerchief.
LEEDS United boss, George Graham made a surprise visit to the Erne Hospital last week when he met two Castlederg sisters who were injured in the Omagh bomb.
Their ' blind date' was arranged by Fermanagh District Council and hospital management after a planned photo-call with 8-year old Emmet McLaughlin, from Buncrana, a fellow bomb victim fell through.
However, Mr Graham, who was accompanied by the club's Press Officer, was able to have a private chat with Emmet and, before leaving to meet sisters, Clare (16) and Eilish (26) McLaughlin, from Killen, the VIPs presented Emmet with a signed Leeds United shirt, a football and two signed team photos and pendant.
The sisters, who were working in shops opposite each other in Market Street, were chatting to a friend during the evacuation when the bomb went off.
Eilish recalled the scene when the bomb went off: "It was total mayhem. All you saw was fire and smoke. You couldn't see anybody's face and it was by good luck that I was able to pull Clare from out of one of the shop signs".
Clare sustained back injuries and Eilish burns on her hand, the side of her face and her back, all caused by red-hot pieces of the car containing the bomb.
Neither could find the friend they were talking to and it was only after they had been admitted to the Erne that they discovered she was in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Both paid tribute to the hospital's nurses and doctors for the care they had received.
Yugoslavia-born Liz Dimtrijevic, Leeds United's Press Officer, said the club regularly visited children in hospital and invited young people to the club's training ground.
"Emmet was really pleased with what he got and George has invited him over when he is fit to watch the players train and to come to a game and we are delighted to be able to do that.
"It was just a small thing but it really brightened him up. We couldn't ask the team down (from Dublin) but he will meet them when he comes over".
The team had arrived in Ireland to play Shelboume that evening. Mr Graham and Liz flew to St Angelo by helicopter and were met on their arrival by the Chairman, Patrick McCaffrey and the chief executive, Aideen McGinley of Fermanagh District Council and driven to the hospital.
The two VIPs did not go away empty-handed. Mr Graham received a Fermanagh District Council tie and a plaque bearing the Council's coat of arms and Ms Dimtrijevic a Belleek plate bearing the Council's coat of arms and a Council neckerchief.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0139
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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