OMAGH THE LEGACY TO FOCUS ON YOUNG VICTIMS
Omagh the legacy' to focus on young victims
By JOHN McCUSKER
A UNIQUE television documentary which" focuses on the lives of two of the young victims of the Omagh bombing is to be screened on the first anniversary of the atrocity.
'Omagh The Legacy' portrays the painful recovery of two of those most seriously injured in the explosion as they begin to piece their lives together throughout the weeks and months after the tragedy.
Filmed, written and produced by former BBC journalist Iain Webster, the programme follows 16-year-old Claire Gallagher, who was blinded in the blast, and young Stephen Coyle (10), who lost his shoulder.
The cameras follow them from operations to physiotherapy but also show some of the brighter moments on the pair's long road to recovery.
Narrator, Liam Neeson was similarly affected by the documentary.
"This is a moving story of survival, faith and hope. I am honoured to be part of it" he added.
Stephen, from Lisnafin Park in Strabane was in Omagh shopping with his mother and father, Francis and Linda Coyle.
"I was stepping off the kerb, I think, and I just remember getting blown up in the air and getting blasted back and then hitting the ground and looking and my daddy coming over to me and helping me.
"He tried to lift me but he couldn't carry me any longer because his arm was all open and blood was running down his jacket sleeve."
Stephen also suffered serious internal abdominal injuries and has endured over a dozens operations within the past year during which metal wire and pins were inserted into his shoulder.
Student, Claire Gallagher suffered a massive trauma injury to the central part of her face. A large piece of shrapnel from the exploding car was embedded deep in the middle of her face and behind her right eye, damaging her left eye extensively.
'Omagh The Legacy' can be seen on Sunday (15 August) on BBC2 at 9.35pm.
By JOHN McCUSKER
A UNIQUE television documentary which" focuses on the lives of two of the young victims of the Omagh bombing is to be screened on the first anniversary of the atrocity.
'Omagh The Legacy' portrays the painful recovery of two of those most seriously injured in the explosion as they begin to piece their lives together throughout the weeks and months after the tragedy.
Filmed, written and produced by former BBC journalist Iain Webster, the programme follows 16-year-old Claire Gallagher, who was blinded in the blast, and young Stephen Coyle (10), who lost his shoulder.
The cameras follow them from operations to physiotherapy but also show some of the brighter moments on the pair's long road to recovery.
Narrator, Liam Neeson was similarly affected by the documentary.
"This is a moving story of survival, faith and hope. I am honoured to be part of it" he added.
Stephen, from Lisnafin Park in Strabane was in Omagh shopping with his mother and father, Francis and Linda Coyle.
"I was stepping off the kerb, I think, and I just remember getting blown up in the air and getting blasted back and then hitting the ground and looking and my daddy coming over to me and helping me.
"He tried to lift me but he couldn't carry me any longer because his arm was all open and blood was running down his jacket sleeve."
Stephen also suffered serious internal abdominal injuries and has endured over a dozens operations within the past year during which metal wire and pins were inserted into his shoulder.
Student, Claire Gallagher suffered a massive trauma injury to the central part of her face. A large piece of shrapnel from the exploding car was embedded deep in the middle of her face and behind her right eye, damaging her left eye extensively.
'Omagh The Legacy' can be seen on Sunday (15 August) on BBC2 at 9.35pm.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0458
Published Date: 12-Aug-99
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