PM MOVED BY VISIT TO OMAGH
PM moved by visit to Omagh
Blair tells of sympathy and solidarity felt throughout the world
BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair had told local people that 'sympathy and solidarity' for them was felt throughout the world.
Visiting Omagh on Tuesday, where he toured the scarred sight of the devastating blast on Market Street which claimed the lives of 28 men, women and children, the premier was visibly moved by the scenes of destruction he observed and said the whole of the world shared the town's grief.
Arriving under dark, dank skies Mr Blair spent considerable time met civic and business leaders, as well as doctors and nurses from the Tyrone County Hospital, talking to all about their traumatic experiences on August 15.
He commended a number of nurses who were on duty, as well as consultant surgeon Dominic Pinto.
The PM asked one nurse Sister Sarah Fisher, who was in charge of the intensive care unit when the first casualties came in, how she was coping.
She said: "I said it was hard. I told him how I was on duty when the first injured were brought in. We have coped with some terrible things in our hospital in the past but never anything like this."
Mr Blair also passed among hundreds of townspeople who had gathered in Market Street, shaking hands and repeating time after time: "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
Commenting on the atrocity a sombre PM said that the 'extraordinary trauma' affecting the local people could only be guessed at and would continue. He expressed his sympathy and horror at the blast.
Mr Blair paid tribute to the police, emergency services, hospital staff and everyone involved in coping with the aftermath of what he called 'a tragic and evil act'.
He listened attentively to the concerns and grievances of members of the grief-stricken community and was also asked by council vice-chairman Allan Rainey that no stone be left unturned in helping Omagh to get back to business.
The Prime Minister stated: "There are two very important concerns that have been raised with me specifically by the people of Omagh. The first is in relation to the hospital and the second in relation to businesses.
"I understand very much the concern on both counts and I will obviously be discussing that with the Secretary of State. We are well aware of our obligations to the people of Omagh after what they have suffered."
During his visit Mr Blair made a particularly poignant stop-off in to Watterson's Drapery store, which had lost three employees: Veda Short,56, Ann McCoombe,49, and Geraldine Breslin,43. Before meeting staff he paused briefly to look at the numerous bouquets of flowers and floral tributes which had been stacked up against the entrance to the shop.
Mr Blair shook his head as owners Tom and Maretta Watterson told him of the loss they and their 24 remaining staff felt.
"You must be devastated", he said Mr Watterson said: "One of them had been there for 26 years, one for 20 and the other for 10. They were all married and had loving families. It's very very sad. We still can't believe that they're not here."
After that Mr Blair walked the short distance to the Oxfam charity shop which lost two teenage volunteers in the blast, Samantha McFarland and her best friend Lorraine Wilson.
The Prime Minister appeared close to tears as he spoke to shopworker Mabel Kennedy who described the girls as 'really good workers'.
He replied: "Oxfam was the very first charity I ever supported."
Mr Blair continued to shake locals' hands before heading down past the steel barricades which still block off the bomb sight from the rest of the town. He viewed a number of the damaged buildings and boarded up shop fronts and was briefed on the explosion by Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson who is heading the murder investigation.
It was against this backdrop that the PM delivered his planned package of tough security measures, flanked by local MP Willie Thompson, and Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam.
There had been some criticism of the Prime Minister for not visiting Omagh immediately after the blast. He said he had very much wanted to break off his holiday and fly to the ravaged town.
But Mr Blair felt that his presence would put pressure on the emergency services, who were already stretched to the limit. He also said there was a strong feeling that he should wait until he was able to spell out what actions the government was taking in response to the bombing outrage.
Blair tells of sympathy and solidarity felt throughout the world
BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair had told local people that 'sympathy and solidarity' for them was felt throughout the world.
Visiting Omagh on Tuesday, where he toured the scarred sight of the devastating blast on Market Street which claimed the lives of 28 men, women and children, the premier was visibly moved by the scenes of destruction he observed and said the whole of the world shared the town's grief.
Arriving under dark, dank skies Mr Blair spent considerable time met civic and business leaders, as well as doctors and nurses from the Tyrone County Hospital, talking to all about their traumatic experiences on August 15.
He commended a number of nurses who were on duty, as well as consultant surgeon Dominic Pinto.
The PM asked one nurse Sister Sarah Fisher, who was in charge of the intensive care unit when the first casualties came in, how she was coping.
She said: "I said it was hard. I told him how I was on duty when the first injured were brought in. We have coped with some terrible things in our hospital in the past but never anything like this."
Mr Blair also passed among hundreds of townspeople who had gathered in Market Street, shaking hands and repeating time after time: "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
Commenting on the atrocity a sombre PM said that the 'extraordinary trauma' affecting the local people could only be guessed at and would continue. He expressed his sympathy and horror at the blast.
Mr Blair paid tribute to the police, emergency services, hospital staff and everyone involved in coping with the aftermath of what he called 'a tragic and evil act'.
He listened attentively to the concerns and grievances of members of the grief-stricken community and was also asked by council vice-chairman Allan Rainey that no stone be left unturned in helping Omagh to get back to business.
The Prime Minister stated: "There are two very important concerns that have been raised with me specifically by the people of Omagh. The first is in relation to the hospital and the second in relation to businesses.
"I understand very much the concern on both counts and I will obviously be discussing that with the Secretary of State. We are well aware of our obligations to the people of Omagh after what they have suffered."
During his visit Mr Blair made a particularly poignant stop-off in to Watterson's Drapery store, which had lost three employees: Veda Short,56, Ann McCoombe,49, and Geraldine Breslin,43. Before meeting staff he paused briefly to look at the numerous bouquets of flowers and floral tributes which had been stacked up against the entrance to the shop.
Mr Blair shook his head as owners Tom and Maretta Watterson told him of the loss they and their 24 remaining staff felt.
"You must be devastated", he said Mr Watterson said: "One of them had been there for 26 years, one for 20 and the other for 10. They were all married and had loving families. It's very very sad. We still can't believe that they're not here."
After that Mr Blair walked the short distance to the Oxfam charity shop which lost two teenage volunteers in the blast, Samantha McFarland and her best friend Lorraine Wilson.
The Prime Minister appeared close to tears as he spoke to shopworker Mabel Kennedy who described the girls as 'really good workers'.
He replied: "Oxfam was the very first charity I ever supported."
Mr Blair continued to shake locals' hands before heading down past the steel barricades which still block off the bomb sight from the rest of the town. He viewed a number of the damaged buildings and boarded up shop fronts and was briefed on the explosion by Chief Superintendent Eric Anderson who is heading the murder investigation.
It was against this backdrop that the PM delivered his planned package of tough security measures, flanked by local MP Willie Thompson, and Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam.
There had been some criticism of the Prime Minister for not visiting Omagh immediately after the blast. He said he had very much wanted to break off his holiday and fly to the ravaged town.
But Mr Blair felt that his presence would put pressure on the emergency services, who were already stretched to the limit. He also said there was a strong feeling that he should wait until he was able to spell out what actions the government was taking in response to the bombing outrage.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0152
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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