EUROPEAN UNION ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED WITHIN NEXT FEW DAYS
European Union announcement expected within next few days
By MICHELLE CANNING
Direct action committee in pipeline
A MAJOR announcement is expected within days on European funding for the traders of Omagh, who are being crippled by poor trade in the aftermath of the bomb, one month ago.
Omagh Council's Chief Executive has spoken to the 'Herald' and revealed that traders will know if the lobbying of EU officials in Brussels for a financial injection into the bomb shattered town has been successful.
It is understood that a direct action committee is in the process of being established to distribute and decide on the allocation of any funding that is forthcoming, both short and long-term for the renewal of the town.
According to traders and councillors, no name has yet been given to the Committee but the issue is expected to receive a formal airing at a meeting of Council next week.
It has not yet been revealed who will sit on the Committee, but it is expected that it will consist of twelve members, including traders, the Chamber of Commerce and councillors.
John McKinney spoke to the 'Herald' just minutes after coming of the phone to Brussels and said he expected a decision early next week, possible Tuesday or Wednesday.
He could not place a figure on the amount of funding that can be expected, if the EU agrees to give financial aid.
"I told traders at the meeting we had that we were attempting to get funds from Europe to cover the short term losses of those worst affected by the bomb. Those negotiations are ongoing and I am keeping everyone informed."
"We should have a decision next week. We are lobbying extremely hard and trying to do everything by using what influence we have to get some relief for traders."
John McKinney, whilst awaiting the announcement on the prospect of EU funding, said he did recognise and appreciate that the traders are being adversely affected in the aftermath of the bomb.
As well as the EU the Council is also lobbying the Government for aid, and the Chief Executive is hopeful that some will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile Roy Allen, Chairman of the Trader's Association, said local business people are waiting with bated breath to see if any funding or investment is forthcoming.
It is expected that any cash injections would be awarded in subsidy form and not take the form of "cash handouts"
Mr Allen said the traders were also looking with a long-term view for money to become available for revamping the town centre.
"The extra impetus will be on making the town more attractive in uniform and we are hoping that there will be some grant-aid, long-term available for traders."
He is hopeful that Omagh's economy will be on the move again if inward investment is attracted in the form of factories.
Mr. Allen said Omagh Council is taking the main steps to secure funding and the Association is throwing its weight 100% behind the authority.
He admitted that traders are feeling the pressure in the aftermath of the bomb, particularly because of the continuing hoax bomb calls which are forcing the town to close for hours at a time.
Mr Allen said "There has been a slump in trade, especially with the bomb scares, but we feel we owe it to the victims and the injured who are coming out of hospital that there is still going to be a town to come back to."
"It is up to us traders and the public, to ensure there will be a safe and secure environment for people to come back to."
"I would like to think that we will push ahead with the installation of security cameras in the town. It is imperative that these are fitted as soon as is possible to act, at the least, as deterrent."
Traders in the town are totally unified as they face financial difficulties.
The Association chairman explained that constant contact is being maintained between traders. "We cannot allow one trader to go out of business, or to pay off a member of staff - because at the end of the day that is really another victim."
He said various steps were being taken, including the lobbying of the Rates Agency, the banks and the local council. "Anyone who is feeling the pinch is being encouraged to make themselves known to the Traders Association."
One of the most serious problems that traders are facing are the continuing hoax bomb calls, forcing the town to be closed off for hours at a time.
There were three hoax bomb calls made in as many days. The first two came on Saturday as shoppers were in the town centre.
The first bomb scare alert was at Supervalu at High Street where a member of staff received a call at shortly before 4pm.
All police were deployed to the scene and the town centre was cleared and premises evacuated.
The second followed an hour later when a caller said a bomb had been left at Dunnes Stores.
Both calls, fortunately, turned out to be hoaxes but have left the community of Omagh shocked at the savage attempt to cause more distress and disruption as serious efforts are underway to have the town returned to some form of normality.
On Tuesday one month to the day of the tragedy a third bomb call followed when a caller claimed a device had been left at the Social Security Offices.
Again it turned out to be a hoax but it came as hundreds of schoolchildren made their way home. The town was again sealed off. Distressed parents inundated local schools to ascertain if their children were safe.
Tuesday's bomb scare has been condemned by the Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board.
Joe Martin speaking to the "Herald" said "to set off a bomb scare at any time is evil but to do it one month to the day after the events of August 15th in Omagh is doubly evil.
"To do it when hundreds of schoolchildren as well as the general public, are on the streets of Omagh is absolutely unspeakable."
"In spite of this evil I am confident that the spirit of goodness in the people of Omagh will triumph."
Ulsterbus Manager Paddy McGowan said the public are sickened by the continuing hoaxes.
"This recent one affected children returning from school and parents were ringing the schools worried whether their children would get home safely."
"The transport of children was badly affected when the school buses could not get out of the depot."
By MICHELLE CANNING
Direct action committee in pipeline
A MAJOR announcement is expected within days on European funding for the traders of Omagh, who are being crippled by poor trade in the aftermath of the bomb, one month ago.
Omagh Council's Chief Executive has spoken to the 'Herald' and revealed that traders will know if the lobbying of EU officials in Brussels for a financial injection into the bomb shattered town has been successful.
It is understood that a direct action committee is in the process of being established to distribute and decide on the allocation of any funding that is forthcoming, both short and long-term for the renewal of the town.
According to traders and councillors, no name has yet been given to the Committee but the issue is expected to receive a formal airing at a meeting of Council next week.
It has not yet been revealed who will sit on the Committee, but it is expected that it will consist of twelve members, including traders, the Chamber of Commerce and councillors.
John McKinney spoke to the 'Herald' just minutes after coming of the phone to Brussels and said he expected a decision early next week, possible Tuesday or Wednesday.
He could not place a figure on the amount of funding that can be expected, if the EU agrees to give financial aid.
"I told traders at the meeting we had that we were attempting to get funds from Europe to cover the short term losses of those worst affected by the bomb. Those negotiations are ongoing and I am keeping everyone informed."
"We should have a decision next week. We are lobbying extremely hard and trying to do everything by using what influence we have to get some relief for traders."
John McKinney, whilst awaiting the announcement on the prospect of EU funding, said he did recognise and appreciate that the traders are being adversely affected in the aftermath of the bomb.
As well as the EU the Council is also lobbying the Government for aid, and the Chief Executive is hopeful that some will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile Roy Allen, Chairman of the Trader's Association, said local business people are waiting with bated breath to see if any funding or investment is forthcoming.
It is expected that any cash injections would be awarded in subsidy form and not take the form of "cash handouts"
Mr Allen said the traders were also looking with a long-term view for money to become available for revamping the town centre.
"The extra impetus will be on making the town more attractive in uniform and we are hoping that there will be some grant-aid, long-term available for traders."
He is hopeful that Omagh's economy will be on the move again if inward investment is attracted in the form of factories.
Mr. Allen said Omagh Council is taking the main steps to secure funding and the Association is throwing its weight 100% behind the authority.
He admitted that traders are feeling the pressure in the aftermath of the bomb, particularly because of the continuing hoax bomb calls which are forcing the town to close for hours at a time.
Mr Allen said "There has been a slump in trade, especially with the bomb scares, but we feel we owe it to the victims and the injured who are coming out of hospital that there is still going to be a town to come back to."
"It is up to us traders and the public, to ensure there will be a safe and secure environment for people to come back to."
"I would like to think that we will push ahead with the installation of security cameras in the town. It is imperative that these are fitted as soon as is possible to act, at the least, as deterrent."
Traders in the town are totally unified as they face financial difficulties.
The Association chairman explained that constant contact is being maintained between traders. "We cannot allow one trader to go out of business, or to pay off a member of staff - because at the end of the day that is really another victim."
He said various steps were being taken, including the lobbying of the Rates Agency, the banks and the local council. "Anyone who is feeling the pinch is being encouraged to make themselves known to the Traders Association."
One of the most serious problems that traders are facing are the continuing hoax bomb calls, forcing the town to be closed off for hours at a time.
There were three hoax bomb calls made in as many days. The first two came on Saturday as shoppers were in the town centre.
The first bomb scare alert was at Supervalu at High Street where a member of staff received a call at shortly before 4pm.
All police were deployed to the scene and the town centre was cleared and premises evacuated.
The second followed an hour later when a caller said a bomb had been left at Dunnes Stores.
Both calls, fortunately, turned out to be hoaxes but have left the community of Omagh shocked at the savage attempt to cause more distress and disruption as serious efforts are underway to have the town returned to some form of normality.
On Tuesday one month to the day of the tragedy a third bomb call followed when a caller claimed a device had been left at the Social Security Offices.
Again it turned out to be a hoax but it came as hundreds of schoolchildren made their way home. The town was again sealed off. Distressed parents inundated local schools to ascertain if their children were safe.
Tuesday's bomb scare has been condemned by the Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board.
Joe Martin speaking to the "Herald" said "to set off a bomb scare at any time is evil but to do it one month to the day after the events of August 15th in Omagh is doubly evil.
"To do it when hundreds of schoolchildren as well as the general public, are on the streets of Omagh is absolutely unspeakable."
"In spite of this evil I am confident that the spirit of goodness in the people of Omagh will triumph."
Ulsterbus Manager Paddy McGowan said the public are sickened by the continuing hoaxes.
"This recent one affected children returning from school and parents were ringing the schools worried whether their children would get home safely."
"The transport of children was badly affected when the school buses could not get out of the depot."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1133
Published Date: 17-Sep-98
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