DEVINE PLEASURE AT BIRTH OF BABY MANUS
Devine' pleasure at birth of baby Manus
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE parents of a toddler killed in the Omagh tragedy were this week planning to embark on a fresh chapter in their lives following the arrival of a new-born baby boy.
Paul and Tracey Devine, from Dunnyboe Road in Dunamanagh have described their delight and joy at the birth of little Manus who was born at Altnagelvin Hospital two days after Christmas.
Two-and-a-half years ago, the couple's 21-month-old daughter Breda was among those who died in the car-bomb explosion in Market Street.
Mum Tracey was also caught up in the blast and suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body. For six weeks she lay in a coma unaware that her young daughter had died.
Before the atrocity robbed them of their youngest child, both Paul and Tracey had talked of trying for a further addition to the family. And following months of extensive treatment and skin grafts to Tracey's wounds, the couple, both aged 30, decided to try for another baby.
Tracey said: "We were both keen to have another child as a form of therapy after the loss of Breda. We always said we would like another baby and if we didn't go ahead with our plans then the bombers would have taken away two children, not just Breda."
Tracey first learned she was pregnant last April. "I was both delighted and scared at first," she explained. "My pregnancy with Breda had not been easy at all and I was frightened it might be similar this time around.
"As the weeks went by, the hormones in my body began changing and this resulted in the scars becoming inflamed. Towards the end I was in constant pain but because of my condition the doctors couldn't prescribe painkillers."
Just four months ago, the couple were forced to endure the painful ordeal of the inquest into little Breda's death. But throughout those dark days both knew brighter times would emerge.
Tracey was admitted to Altnagelvin Hospital at 3pm on St Stephen's Day. Within hours little Manus was on his way. But because of hazardous road conditions, Paul missed the birth by minutes.
Hospital staff phoned shortly after 7am, but snow covered roads meant he had to make a detour to the normal half-hour journey, arriving at Altnagelvin shortly after his young son was born.
"I had been present at the birth of the other children and was really anxious to get to the hospital on time. It was just a pity I couldn't make it," he said. Manus weighed in at 71bs 6ozs when he was born at 7.30am.
At their home in the heart of the Sperrins this week, Tracey cradled her young son as she reflected on her family's future.
"We didn't know whether it was going to be a boy or a girl as that would have spoiled the surprise for us," she explained, "You have to have something to look forward to."
"Nothing could replace wee Breda. Manus is a child in his own right and when he is old enough he will be told about his sister and how special she was to all of us.
"She is still very much with us and much a part of our family as Manus now is."
Tracey and Paul's three other children idolise the latest addition to the family. Aaron (8), Niamh (6) and 4-year-old Shay take turns to cuddle their young baby brother.
The loss of his baby sister had a severe effect on Aaron. But young Manus - named after his father (Manus Paul) - has brought joy back into the life of the young schoolboy.
Niamh is fascinated at the symmetry of her family. "Boy, girl, boy, girl, boy," she rhymes off. And Shay, who is looking forward to his fifth birthday, is delighted at the latest arrival in the family.
Paul said: "If he cries at all the children are around him and want to lift him from his cot. He can hardly get peace to sleep.
"Still it is wonderful to see the smiles back on their young faces after what has happened in the past.
"Right now, however, our hopes and plans centre around establishing a stable and happy life for the rest of the family and hopefully we can carry on rebuilding our lives again. This is a new chapter and a new beginning for us all," he added.
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE parents of a toddler killed in the Omagh tragedy were this week planning to embark on a fresh chapter in their lives following the arrival of a new-born baby boy.
Paul and Tracey Devine, from Dunnyboe Road in Dunamanagh have described their delight and joy at the birth of little Manus who was born at Altnagelvin Hospital two days after Christmas.
Two-and-a-half years ago, the couple's 21-month-old daughter Breda was among those who died in the car-bomb explosion in Market Street.
Mum Tracey was also caught up in the blast and suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body. For six weeks she lay in a coma unaware that her young daughter had died.
Before the atrocity robbed them of their youngest child, both Paul and Tracey had talked of trying for a further addition to the family. And following months of extensive treatment and skin grafts to Tracey's wounds, the couple, both aged 30, decided to try for another baby.
Tracey said: "We were both keen to have another child as a form of therapy after the loss of Breda. We always said we would like another baby and if we didn't go ahead with our plans then the bombers would have taken away two children, not just Breda."
Tracey first learned she was pregnant last April. "I was both delighted and scared at first," she explained. "My pregnancy with Breda had not been easy at all and I was frightened it might be similar this time around.
"As the weeks went by, the hormones in my body began changing and this resulted in the scars becoming inflamed. Towards the end I was in constant pain but because of my condition the doctors couldn't prescribe painkillers."
Just four months ago, the couple were forced to endure the painful ordeal of the inquest into little Breda's death. But throughout those dark days both knew brighter times would emerge.
Tracey was admitted to Altnagelvin Hospital at 3pm on St Stephen's Day. Within hours little Manus was on his way. But because of hazardous road conditions, Paul missed the birth by minutes.
Hospital staff phoned shortly after 7am, but snow covered roads meant he had to make a detour to the normal half-hour journey, arriving at Altnagelvin shortly after his young son was born.
"I had been present at the birth of the other children and was really anxious to get to the hospital on time. It was just a pity I couldn't make it," he said. Manus weighed in at 71bs 6ozs when he was born at 7.30am.
At their home in the heart of the Sperrins this week, Tracey cradled her young son as she reflected on her family's future.
"We didn't know whether it was going to be a boy or a girl as that would have spoiled the surprise for us," she explained, "You have to have something to look forward to."
"Nothing could replace wee Breda. Manus is a child in his own right and when he is old enough he will be told about his sister and how special she was to all of us.
"She is still very much with us and much a part of our family as Manus now is."
Tracey and Paul's three other children idolise the latest addition to the family. Aaron (8), Niamh (6) and 4-year-old Shay take turns to cuddle their young baby brother.
The loss of his baby sister had a severe effect on Aaron. But young Manus - named after his father (Manus Paul) - has brought joy back into the life of the young schoolboy.
Niamh is fascinated at the symmetry of her family. "Boy, girl, boy, girl, boy," she rhymes off. And Shay, who is looking forward to his fifth birthday, is delighted at the latest arrival in the family.
Paul said: "If he cries at all the children are around him and want to lift him from his cot. He can hardly get peace to sleep.
"Still it is wonderful to see the smiles back on their young faces after what has happened in the past.
"Right now, however, our hopes and plans centre around establishing a stable and happy life for the rest of the family and hopefully we can carry on rebuilding our lives again. This is a new chapter and a new beginning for us all," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0727
Published Date: 11-Jan-01
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