COUNCILLOR PLEADS FOR A FIREWORKS-FREE HALLOWEEN
Councillor pleads for a fireworks-free Halloween
Let it be a time for meditation and silence - McGowan
BY: JACQUELINE COURTNEY
IN the inconsolable aftermath of the Omagh bombing, a local Councillor made a heart felt plea, this week, for a fireworks-free Halloween - to prevent further unnecessary suffering on a grief stricken community.
Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan said "this has been a traumatic time for hundreds of injured and, in general, a community now frightened of explosions after their awful experience".
And his passionate plea was supported by a number of telephone calls to the "Herald" on Wednesday morning calling for a fireworks ban, in light of the bomb.
One lady from Castleview said that in light of what had happened she felt it was disgraceful that fireworks were being sold and used in the town.
"People are scarred by the terrible deed which was carried out in Omagh and are already extremely nervous and frightened" she said.
Another lady expressed her horror after a fireworks exploded near her home, earlier this week.
"Do they not realise that people are still devastated by the bomb and are scared by loud explosive sounds?" asked the angry caller.
Councillor McGowan's cry from the heart was directed particularly at outlets which sell fireworks and at those traders coming into the town weekly to sell their merchandise.
"I appeal to them to allow this to be a year free from the nightly torment endured by so many people in previous years - from early September continuing right through to November" he said.
He proposed that this should be recognised as a year of "meditation and silence" and free from the daily and nightly terror of loud bangs of exploding fireworks.
"People are frightened and they should not be subjected to relive the awful memories over and over again by exploding fireworks" he said.
He also appealed for vigilance with the annual October bonfires and highlighted the fire threat posed to the town's listed buildings over the Halloween period.
Let it be a time for meditation and silence - McGowan
BY: JACQUELINE COURTNEY
IN the inconsolable aftermath of the Omagh bombing, a local Councillor made a heart felt plea, this week, for a fireworks-free Halloween - to prevent further unnecessary suffering on a grief stricken community.
Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan said "this has been a traumatic time for hundreds of injured and, in general, a community now frightened of explosions after their awful experience".
And his passionate plea was supported by a number of telephone calls to the "Herald" on Wednesday morning calling for a fireworks ban, in light of the bomb.
One lady from Castleview said that in light of what had happened she felt it was disgraceful that fireworks were being sold and used in the town.
"People are scarred by the terrible deed which was carried out in Omagh and are already extremely nervous and frightened" she said.
Another lady expressed her horror after a fireworks exploded near her home, earlier this week.
"Do they not realise that people are still devastated by the bomb and are scared by loud explosive sounds?" asked the angry caller.
Councillor McGowan's cry from the heart was directed particularly at outlets which sell fireworks and at those traders coming into the town weekly to sell their merchandise.
"I appeal to them to allow this to be a year free from the nightly torment endured by so many people in previous years - from early September continuing right through to November" he said.
He proposed that this should be recognised as a year of "meditation and silence" and free from the daily and nightly terror of loud bangs of exploding fireworks.
"People are frightened and they should not be subjected to relive the awful memories over and over again by exploding fireworks" he said.
He also appealed for vigilance with the annual October bonfires and highlighted the fire threat posed to the town's listed buildings over the Halloween period.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0409
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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