TOP OFFICIAL HAD TO BECOME PUBLIC FACE OF A GRIEF-STRICKEN COMMUNITY
Top official had to become public face of a grief-stricken community
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
r.donnelly@ulsterherald.com
AS chief executive of Omagh District Council, John McKinney had the difficult task of co-ordinating the emergency plan for the town. He said that never in his wildest dreams did he expect or contemplate a human tragedy on the scale the Omagh community suffered.
Because of the make-up of the council - which included a Sinn Fein chairman and a 32 County Sovereignty Movement member - the then chief executive was forced into the role of being the public face of the council, meeting dignitaries and government representatives. Because of this, he was able to throw himself into his work and it was not until Christmas, when his personal grief resurfaced, that he realised how many families were facing such a time without a loved one.
Mr McKinney said the key to Omagh's dealing with the unimaginable tragedy was because of their respect, understanding and a sense of togetherness.
"For me, the real partnership that emerged after this atrocity served this town and community well, never forgetting the pain that the bereaved families and the hundreds of injured suffered and continued to suffer over the last ten years and unfortunately will do so into the future.
"The old platitude of 'time is a great healer' is not a replacement for the loss of a loved one or a life-long injury that many will have to endure for the remainder of their lives.
"Closure, as I've heard a few commentators refer to recently now that 10 years have elapsed, means different things to different people and only they that find themselves in this dilemma due to no fault of their own can understand their inner feelings and their quest for justice and truth is an understandable desire.
"This I fully understand and in my opinion the community likewise and any attempts to close the book on a timescale of others making is nothing short of an insult or complete lack of understanding regarding the human loss, injury and emotional impact of the bomb.
"One must always remember that this was a human tragedy and obviously this social disaster had negative economic impacts but Omagh together has achieved the renewal and in my humble opinion achieved it in a respectful manner."
Mr McKinney said that the erection of a memorial was always going to be difficult but in fairness to all those who worked hard to find a solution they have achieved a result that, in the main, is the best that could be expected given the backdrop of drawn-out legal proceedings not to mention the bungling performances either by accident or design surrounding the path to truth.
On August 15, Mr McKinney was the emergency co-ordinator and he was fortunate to have in place a system which he activated. "I am forever grateful to the agencies that were part of that system and in particular to my staff at the council who excelled not just on the day but for the days, weeks, months and indeed years after.
"Their support, togetherness, sheer willingness and professionalism were evident for all to see. I know I never thanked them properly but I hope this might.
"The workload and intensity of the task acted as a release valve for my grief and was in hindsight a means of removing me from dwelling on the atrocity and in fact it was months later before the real enormity of the human suffering and loss really hit home.
"To be precise it was the Christmas of '98 when I had my first few days off with the family and during that reflective period I got a glimpse and realisation of what the bereaved families and the injured were facing, some of them alone on that first Christmas."
Mr McKinney said that if he had to make a wish about the title of the reflective artwork to be erected outside the Omagh Community House then he would wish first and foremost that any barriers and stresses the bereaved families are labouring under can be overcome and that the injured can obtain the best treatment and support as they continue to cope with their injuries and rebuild their lives.
"Secondly, I wish that the structures of partnership government we now have (a far cry from the 1998 scenario when I personally had to keep them apart even at the services or visits to Omagh after the atrocity) would continue and develop for delivery of services to all the community.
"Thirdly, I wish that Omagh continues to build on the sound foundations laid, proceed in a partnership format, give leadership to the region and in doing so harness and respect the value of the roles played by the private, community and voluntary sectors.
"I was greatly touched the other day when in conversation with a sister of a seriously injured girl replied when I asked: how her sister and the family were coping with the upcoming anniversary? She replied 'we see it as a celebration, a celebration of life, we still have her, she is making her way in work and life, she could so easily have lost hers.'
"Finally, I trust that no society will ever have to endure the suffering and loss dealt to this community and I take comfort in the fact that we, the community, all did our best. At this time the friends of Omagh throughout the world should also be remembered for their support and generosity as I remember some special people that gave unselfishly of their time and sound advice."
BY ROSETTA DONNELLY
r.donnelly@ulsterherald.com
AS chief executive of Omagh District Council, John McKinney had the difficult task of co-ordinating the emergency plan for the town. He said that never in his wildest dreams did he expect or contemplate a human tragedy on the scale the Omagh community suffered.
Because of the make-up of the council - which included a Sinn Fein chairman and a 32 County Sovereignty Movement member - the then chief executive was forced into the role of being the public face of the council, meeting dignitaries and government representatives. Because of this, he was able to throw himself into his work and it was not until Christmas, when his personal grief resurfaced, that he realised how many families were facing such a time without a loved one.
Mr McKinney said the key to Omagh's dealing with the unimaginable tragedy was because of their respect, understanding and a sense of togetherness.
"For me, the real partnership that emerged after this atrocity served this town and community well, never forgetting the pain that the bereaved families and the hundreds of injured suffered and continued to suffer over the last ten years and unfortunately will do so into the future.
"The old platitude of 'time is a great healer' is not a replacement for the loss of a loved one or a life-long injury that many will have to endure for the remainder of their lives.
"Closure, as I've heard a few commentators refer to recently now that 10 years have elapsed, means different things to different people and only they that find themselves in this dilemma due to no fault of their own can understand their inner feelings and their quest for justice and truth is an understandable desire.
"This I fully understand and in my opinion the community likewise and any attempts to close the book on a timescale of others making is nothing short of an insult or complete lack of understanding regarding the human loss, injury and emotional impact of the bomb.
"One must always remember that this was a human tragedy and obviously this social disaster had negative economic impacts but Omagh together has achieved the renewal and in my humble opinion achieved it in a respectful manner."
Mr McKinney said that the erection of a memorial was always going to be difficult but in fairness to all those who worked hard to find a solution they have achieved a result that, in the main, is the best that could be expected given the backdrop of drawn-out legal proceedings not to mention the bungling performances either by accident or design surrounding the path to truth.
On August 15, Mr McKinney was the emergency co-ordinator and he was fortunate to have in place a system which he activated. "I am forever grateful to the agencies that were part of that system and in particular to my staff at the council who excelled not just on the day but for the days, weeks, months and indeed years after.
"Their support, togetherness, sheer willingness and professionalism were evident for all to see. I know I never thanked them properly but I hope this might.
"The workload and intensity of the task acted as a release valve for my grief and was in hindsight a means of removing me from dwelling on the atrocity and in fact it was months later before the real enormity of the human suffering and loss really hit home.
"To be precise it was the Christmas of '98 when I had my first few days off with the family and during that reflective period I got a glimpse and realisation of what the bereaved families and the injured were facing, some of them alone on that first Christmas."
Mr McKinney said that if he had to make a wish about the title of the reflective artwork to be erected outside the Omagh Community House then he would wish first and foremost that any barriers and stresses the bereaved families are labouring under can be overcome and that the injured can obtain the best treatment and support as they continue to cope with their injuries and rebuild their lives.
"Secondly, I wish that the structures of partnership government we now have (a far cry from the 1998 scenario when I personally had to keep them apart even at the services or visits to Omagh after the atrocity) would continue and develop for delivery of services to all the community.
"Thirdly, I wish that Omagh continues to build on the sound foundations laid, proceed in a partnership format, give leadership to the region and in doing so harness and respect the value of the roles played by the private, community and voluntary sectors.
"I was greatly touched the other day when in conversation with a sister of a seriously injured girl replied when I asked: how her sister and the family were coping with the upcoming anniversary? She replied 'we see it as a celebration, a celebration of life, we still have her, she is making her way in work and life, she could so easily have lost hers.'
"Finally, I trust that no society will ever have to endure the suffering and loss dealt to this community and I take comfort in the fact that we, the community, all did our best. At this time the friends of Omagh throughout the world should also be remembered for their support and generosity as I remember some special people that gave unselfishly of their time and sound advice."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH10An/48
Published Date: 14-Aug-08
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