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Omagh survivors honoured for bravery and talent
BY JACQUELINE COURTNEY

TWO dauntless young women who were seriously injured in the Omagh bomb were recently honoured for overcoming adversity with incredible achievements.
Donna-Marie McGillion and Claire Gallagher, both from Omagh, are now recognised to be among the bravest and most determined woman in the country - and much further afield.
Donna-Marie, 25, is officially recognised for her bravery as one of seven selected by Best magazine in a competition to find women who make the world a better place.
An honour of equal prestige was bestowed on 18-year-old Claire, an accomplished musician, who lost her sight in the same explosion. Claire's dream of third level education has been achieved after she was selected for a Bank of Ireland Millennium scholarship. Claire was awarded £4,000 per annum for three years from the Scholars Trust. She is pursuing a degree programme in Music and Psychology at Queen's University, Belfast.
Music was always an important outlet for Claire to express her feelings and emotions and this has fuelled her interest in the area of communicating through the medium of music. While in grammar school, Claire participated in a work experience scheme whereby she worked alongside a Music Therapist in a local school for children with special needs.
Claire's ambition is to pursue a career in music therapy, teaching children with learning difficulties to communicate through music, and working with the elderly and terminally ill.
Claire has already performed at some prestigious venues including the White House and the Rose of Tralee festival. In addition, she has also appeared on the Kelly TV Show with Phil Coulter and has performed on his CD 'Tranquility Gold'.
Claire was nominated for the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust by Loreto Grammar School, Omagh.
Meanwhile courageous Donna-Marie, who was only given a 5% chance of surviving after the Real IRA's bombing of the town, is being recognised for her courage and strength. She suffered appalling injuries in the explosion which killed 29 people, including her fiance's 21-month-old niece. Donna Marie spent six weeks in a coma. Yet, despite her injuries and mental trauma Donna-Marie fought back to marry just seven months later.
Then in August of this year, she gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Cara.
Best Editor, Louise Court said: "They are an inspiration to us all and we are delighted to have been able to celebrate their bravery in the face of difficulty and I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to feature them in Best."
The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust recognises ability and potential in individuals who face serious obstacles in life and it provides a means of overcoming their barriers to fulfil their potential through education.
Claire Gallagher was one of 60 students to benefit the programme. A previous winner was Sorcha McKenna from Monaghan who suffered years of child sexual abuse at the hands of her father, Aughnacloy born Vincent McKenna. Scholarships are awarded to undergraduates, mature students and persons with exceptional talents in the arts.