OMAGH SURGEON HONOURED IN PEOPLE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Omagh surgeon honoured in People of the Year awards
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
CONSULTANT surgeon Dominic Pinto - who led the Tyrone County Hospital medical team's response in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing - this week accepted an Irish 'People of the Year Award' on behalf of those who tended the hundreds caught up in the August 15 atrocity.
The prestigious honor has been hailed as recognition of the bravery, skill and compassion shown by those involved in the battle to save lives.
Presenting the awards in Dublin's Burlington Hotel on Monday night, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern praised the courage shown following the bombing, which he described as his "darkest hour as Taoiseach."
The consultant surgeon was chosen to represent all those who risked their lives to tend the injured and dying immediately after the bombing.
These included members of the medical teams who fought so desperately to save life and limb in the days and weeks which followed.
Mr. Pinto himself worked round-the-clock to treat those injured, and managed to get just 15 hours sleep in the five days which followed the blast.
Speaking after the ceremony, he said he was delighted to receive the award on behalf of both the people at the hospital and the people of Omagh itself.
The consultant said he now believed the people of the town were beginning to come to terms with the bomb attack. Accompanying Mr. Pinto at the glittering ceremony were Seamus Kelly, a nurse at Tyrone County Hospital and Derek Patterson, representing the Ambulance Service.
Catherine Slevin - whose chemist shop overlooks the bomb site - and Michael Skues from the RUC were also present at the awards.
Accepting the ESB/Rehab sponsored award, Mr. Pinto praised the resilience shown by the local community in the wake of the bombing. He also commented on the unity and determination shown by the people who were currently in the process of "reclaiming" their town.
On his arrival at the Tyrone County Hospital 18 years ago, one of the first tasks undertaken by the consultant was to draw up a major accident plan - a prudent move which proved beneficial when staff were called on to treat hundreds of casualties of the blast.
One of the first to offer congratulations to Mr. Pinto was Community Independent Councilor, Paddy McGowan, who said the well deserved award honored the Trojan work carried out by the team at the County.
"This award is in rightful recognition of the work done by Mr. Pinto and the staff at the hospital.
"He has been a great ambassador for the town and whole community and no better ambassador for the retention of Tyrone County Hospital.
"In the past, he has been to the forefront in furthering the work carried out at the hospital and I think everyone should be pleased he has been granted this award" added Cllr McGowan.
A number of people injured in the explosion are still receiving specialist hospital treatment three months after the blast.
All those detained in the 'County' have now been discharged.
Others honored in this week's awards ceremony - which were broadcast live by 'RTE - included former US Senator George Mitchell who guided the Good Friday peace accord and who was granted the International Person of the Year award.
Commenting on this year's awards, Frank Flannery, Chief Executive of the Rehab Foundation, said the ceremony was designed to honor some of the country's extraordinary people.
"These awards provide the only opportunity for the people of Ireland to acknowledge the outstanding achievements and personal courage of those who have touched the lives of others from local right up to national and international level" he added.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
CONSULTANT surgeon Dominic Pinto - who led the Tyrone County Hospital medical team's response in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing - this week accepted an Irish 'People of the Year Award' on behalf of those who tended the hundreds caught up in the August 15 atrocity.
The prestigious honor has been hailed as recognition of the bravery, skill and compassion shown by those involved in the battle to save lives.
Presenting the awards in Dublin's Burlington Hotel on Monday night, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern praised the courage shown following the bombing, which he described as his "darkest hour as Taoiseach."
The consultant surgeon was chosen to represent all those who risked their lives to tend the injured and dying immediately after the bombing.
These included members of the medical teams who fought so desperately to save life and limb in the days and weeks which followed.
Mr. Pinto himself worked round-the-clock to treat those injured, and managed to get just 15 hours sleep in the five days which followed the blast.
Speaking after the ceremony, he said he was delighted to receive the award on behalf of both the people at the hospital and the people of Omagh itself.
The consultant said he now believed the people of the town were beginning to come to terms with the bomb attack. Accompanying Mr. Pinto at the glittering ceremony were Seamus Kelly, a nurse at Tyrone County Hospital and Derek Patterson, representing the Ambulance Service.
Catherine Slevin - whose chemist shop overlooks the bomb site - and Michael Skues from the RUC were also present at the awards.
Accepting the ESB/Rehab sponsored award, Mr. Pinto praised the resilience shown by the local community in the wake of the bombing. He also commented on the unity and determination shown by the people who were currently in the process of "reclaiming" their town.
On his arrival at the Tyrone County Hospital 18 years ago, one of the first tasks undertaken by the consultant was to draw up a major accident plan - a prudent move which proved beneficial when staff were called on to treat hundreds of casualties of the blast.
One of the first to offer congratulations to Mr. Pinto was Community Independent Councilor, Paddy McGowan, who said the well deserved award honored the Trojan work carried out by the team at the County.
"This award is in rightful recognition of the work done by Mr. Pinto and the staff at the hospital.
"He has been a great ambassador for the town and whole community and no better ambassador for the retention of Tyrone County Hospital.
"In the past, he has been to the forefront in furthering the work carried out at the hospital and I think everyone should be pleased he has been granted this award" added Cllr McGowan.
A number of people injured in the explosion are still receiving specialist hospital treatment three months after the blast.
All those detained in the 'County' have now been discharged.
Others honored in this week's awards ceremony - which were broadcast live by 'RTE - included former US Senator George Mitchell who guided the Good Friday peace accord and who was granted the International Person of the Year award.
Commenting on this year's awards, Frank Flannery, Chief Executive of the Rehab Foundation, said the ceremony was designed to honor some of the country's extraordinary people.
"These awards provide the only opportunity for the people of Ireland to acknowledge the outstanding achievements and personal courage of those who have touched the lives of others from local right up to national and international level" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0670
Published Date: 12-Nov-98
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