BOMB VICTIM AWARDED RECORD �253,843
Bomb victim awarded record �253,843
BY JOHN CARNEY
A SENIOR traffic warden who was caught in the Omagh Bomb explosion, was awarded a record �253,843 in compensation at Omagh Crown Court yesterday for the physical and mental injuries she sustained in the attack.
Rosemary Ingram from Omagh, had been working at a junction just 20 metres from where the bomb exploded and suffered severe mental trauma as well as being badly injured in the blast.
"This courageous lady has had her life destroyed by the Omagh bombing," presiding Judge Kevin Finnegan said.
"The physical injuries she sustained were immense but this pales into insignificance compared to the post-traumatic stress and panic attacks she has suffered since. It might well be that this lady may never enjoy another happy day in her life."
On hearing this, Mrs Ingram was overcome with shock and began screaming hysterically. Attempts by her husband and members of her legal team to calm her down were to no avail and the sound of her screams could still be heard as she was helped out of the courtroom, leaving behind shell-shocked officials.
But despite her traumatic ordeal Mrs Ingram was vindicated, as she earlier had turned down a compensation offer of �80,000, favouring instead to appeal the decision in court yesterday.
Mrs Ingram was extremely upset throughout the hearing and when initially called to give evidence, she broke down in tears. "I just want to get it all over with," she finally was able to say before composing herself.
She then explained in detail her physical injuries which included neck, shoulder, back and leg pains, and how they had restricted her from doing the smallest activity. She also described how even now four years later, small particles from the blast still appear out of her skin.
"I'm always conscious of it and I can't wear anything low (cut) because my arms and shoulders sometimes bleed. Sometimes, I would even see blood running down my legs," she said.
QC James McNulty explained that prior to the explosion, Mrs Ingram had worked six days a week and enjoyed meeting and talking to people in the course of her day, but was now forced to take early retirement because of her physical injuries and she no longer socialised. Since the bombing, she had been on painkillers and anti-depressants which had severely restricted her quality of life, he added.
"I have pains down my arms and back, and my left ankle is always sore," Mrs Ingram said. "When I lie in bed I am in pain no matter what side I lie on. The pains in my legs are coming from the scars I received (in the bomb).
"It is difficult even to do housework. I even have to get on my knees to do the hoovering, my back is so sore."
Counsel for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), Mr Liddell, in cross-examination, however, produced doctor's evidence stating that Mrs Ingram had been using both painkillers - for various physical ailments - and anti-depressants at times during the 1980s and 1990s, before the bombing took place. In reply, Mrs Ingram said, "If I had pains in the past I would go (to the doctor) to get to the bottom of it." When further pressed by Counsel on the subject, Mrs Ingram said she had "no recollection" of when the majority of the visits took place and why.
"I honestly can't remember. I couldn't go through everything I've gone through and be expected to remember everything," she said.
A compensation package of �130,000 had initially been suggested, but yesterday's verdict has by far exceeded even that.
An appeal by the NIO over the award decision has yet to be lodged.
BY JOHN CARNEY
A SENIOR traffic warden who was caught in the Omagh Bomb explosion, was awarded a record �253,843 in compensation at Omagh Crown Court yesterday for the physical and mental injuries she sustained in the attack.
Rosemary Ingram from Omagh, had been working at a junction just 20 metres from where the bomb exploded and suffered severe mental trauma as well as being badly injured in the blast.
"This courageous lady has had her life destroyed by the Omagh bombing," presiding Judge Kevin Finnegan said.
"The physical injuries she sustained were immense but this pales into insignificance compared to the post-traumatic stress and panic attacks she has suffered since. It might well be that this lady may never enjoy another happy day in her life."
On hearing this, Mrs Ingram was overcome with shock and began screaming hysterically. Attempts by her husband and members of her legal team to calm her down were to no avail and the sound of her screams could still be heard as she was helped out of the courtroom, leaving behind shell-shocked officials.
But despite her traumatic ordeal Mrs Ingram was vindicated, as she earlier had turned down a compensation offer of �80,000, favouring instead to appeal the decision in court yesterday.
Mrs Ingram was extremely upset throughout the hearing and when initially called to give evidence, she broke down in tears. "I just want to get it all over with," she finally was able to say before composing herself.
She then explained in detail her physical injuries which included neck, shoulder, back and leg pains, and how they had restricted her from doing the smallest activity. She also described how even now four years later, small particles from the blast still appear out of her skin.
"I'm always conscious of it and I can't wear anything low (cut) because my arms and shoulders sometimes bleed. Sometimes, I would even see blood running down my legs," she said.
QC James McNulty explained that prior to the explosion, Mrs Ingram had worked six days a week and enjoyed meeting and talking to people in the course of her day, but was now forced to take early retirement because of her physical injuries and she no longer socialised. Since the bombing, she had been on painkillers and anti-depressants which had severely restricted her quality of life, he added.
"I have pains down my arms and back, and my left ankle is always sore," Mrs Ingram said. "When I lie in bed I am in pain no matter what side I lie on. The pains in my legs are coming from the scars I received (in the bomb).
"It is difficult even to do housework. I even have to get on my knees to do the hoovering, my back is so sore."
Counsel for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), Mr Liddell, in cross-examination, however, produced doctor's evidence stating that Mrs Ingram had been using both painkillers - for various physical ailments - and anti-depressants at times during the 1980s and 1990s, before the bombing took place. In reply, Mrs Ingram said, "If I had pains in the past I would go (to the doctor) to get to the bottom of it." When further pressed by Counsel on the subject, Mrs Ingram said she had "no recollection" of when the majority of the visits took place and why.
"I honestly can't remember. I couldn't go through everything I've gone through and be expected to remember everything," she said.
A compensation package of �130,000 had initially been suggested, but yesterday's verdict has by far exceeded even that.
An appeal by the NIO over the award decision has yet to be lodged.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1114
Published Date: 07-Nov-02
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