MARLOW PARENTS WERE LEFT FEELING CONFUSED AFTER MEETING CHIEF CONSTABLE
Marlow parents were left feeling 'confused' after meeting chief constable
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE one word 'confused' summed up how Bridie and Joe Marlow felt after emerging from the meeting with the chief constable on Thursday.
The couple lost their daughter Jolene and their other daughter Nicky was scarred for life in the Omagh bomb.
It goes without saying that the lives of this Newtownsaville couple will never be the same and although they have tried to move on, the failure to bring anyone to book for the atrocity, makes it impossible for them.
They are angry that there has not been much progress and they were hoping that the meeting with Ronnie Flanagan might provide explanations why police North of the border could not bring prosecutions.
Joe said that during the four hour meeting, Mr Flanagan did take questions including one from him about why a photo of the bomb car before it exploded was released by police to a newspaper without giving him prior warning. The photo included Jolene moments before her death. He said "When we complained at the time, the local police apologised and we were assured that no information would be released again without warning us about it.
Not Forewarned
"But that has not been the case. Time and time again important facts relating to the bomb has been in the media but the families were not forewarned".
They believe that there is a power struggle going on between the Ombudsman and Ronnie Flanagan. Joe said "They say they are not making it political but it is and we are being used as pawns in the middle".
He said the meeting was frustrating because they were bombarded with statistics which were opposing what Nuala O'Loan had said. "It's a lot to digest in one morning. What I would like to see is Nuala O'Loan and Ronnie Flanagan debating this in a forum which the families could attend". Jolene would have been celebrating her 21st birthday in three weeks time, and it will be a trying day for her parents. Bridie said "Since the bomb we live with this kind of trauma every day of our lives. I think it is the people from outside the area who handle it worse than us".
Nicky Marlow's injuries were life threatening and it was touch and go for many months. However, Nicky fought for her life and recovered from her injuries. She still has bad scarring which will be with her for life and she has only half power in her right arm.
But, said her proud mother, Nicky has gone on to university and is studying Occupational Therapy.
Bridie said "We are coping alright with everything and that has been mainly due to the support we have received".
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
THE one word 'confused' summed up how Bridie and Joe Marlow felt after emerging from the meeting with the chief constable on Thursday.
The couple lost their daughter Jolene and their other daughter Nicky was scarred for life in the Omagh bomb.
It goes without saying that the lives of this Newtownsaville couple will never be the same and although they have tried to move on, the failure to bring anyone to book for the atrocity, makes it impossible for them.
They are angry that there has not been much progress and they were hoping that the meeting with Ronnie Flanagan might provide explanations why police North of the border could not bring prosecutions.
Joe said that during the four hour meeting, Mr Flanagan did take questions including one from him about why a photo of the bomb car before it exploded was released by police to a newspaper without giving him prior warning. The photo included Jolene moments before her death. He said "When we complained at the time, the local police apologised and we were assured that no information would be released again without warning us about it.
Not Forewarned
"But that has not been the case. Time and time again important facts relating to the bomb has been in the media but the families were not forewarned".
They believe that there is a power struggle going on between the Ombudsman and Ronnie Flanagan. Joe said "They say they are not making it political but it is and we are being used as pawns in the middle".
He said the meeting was frustrating because they were bombarded with statistics which were opposing what Nuala O'Loan had said. "It's a lot to digest in one morning. What I would like to see is Nuala O'Loan and Ronnie Flanagan debating this in a forum which the families could attend". Jolene would have been celebrating her 21st birthday in three weeks time, and it will be a trying day for her parents. Bridie said "Since the bomb we live with this kind of trauma every day of our lives. I think it is the people from outside the area who handle it worse than us".
Nicky Marlow's injuries were life threatening and it was touch and go for many months. However, Nicky fought for her life and recovered from her injuries. She still has bad scarring which will be with her for life and she has only half power in her right arm.
But, said her proud mother, Nicky has gone on to university and is studying Occupational Therapy.
Bridie said "We are coping alright with everything and that has been mainly due to the support we have received".
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0940
Published Date: 31-Jan-02
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