SCHOOLFRIEND OF BOMB VICTIM
SCHOOL FRIEND OF BOMB VICTIM RAISES $10,000
A SCHOOLFRIEND of pregnant bomb victim, Avril Grimes, has raised $10,000 in America for the Omagh Memorial Fund.
Karen McCrory Alison, originally from Knocksilla Grove in Omagh and now living in Philadelphia with her US born husband, raised the money after organising two benefit nights.
Karen, who has lived in America for 13 years, was on the phone to a friend in Omagh when the 500lb car bomb exploded at 3.10pm on Saturday August 15th.
Her friend told her that she had heard what sounded like a bomb and believed it was nearby.
Karen rang off and immediately and phoned her mum and dad, Veronica and Ted, to find out if her family were safe. Fortunately, she received the news that all of her family were fine before the phone lines went down.
However, as the hours passed Karen learned that her schoolfriend of five years Avril Monaghan (nee Grimes), her unborn baby twins and 18 month old daughter Maura had been murdered in the explosion, as had Avril's mother.
Karen and Avril had sat beside each other for their five years at the Loreto Convent Grammar School in the town and had spent many happy times at Avril's home in Beragh.
Her mum, Veronica, a retired Sister of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Tyrone County Hospital dashed to the hospital shortly after the bomb went off to lend her assistance and experience.
"We thought all of this was behind us. It was just senseless butchery," says Karen, who prompted by the disaster decided to organise fundraisers to show solidarity with the people of her native town.
Just days after the bombing a Benefit Night was held in Rooney's pub in Haverstown where an Irish musician performed. The owner of the pub also agreed to donate a third of the night's proceeds to the event. $5000 was raised.
Just last Wednesday a fundraiser was held in Finnigan's Wake where another $5000 was raised.
Karen also opened a bank account in Ambler so that townspeople could contribute to the Omagh Fund.
Karen last visited Omagh in May of this year when she married her American boyfriend of seven years, Richard Alison.
As guests sat down to the reception a family friend relayed the news that the Good Friday Agreement had received overwhelming support from the people of the North.
A SCHOOLFRIEND of pregnant bomb victim, Avril Grimes, has raised $10,000 in America for the Omagh Memorial Fund.
Karen McCrory Alison, originally from Knocksilla Grove in Omagh and now living in Philadelphia with her US born husband, raised the money after organising two benefit nights.
Karen, who has lived in America for 13 years, was on the phone to a friend in Omagh when the 500lb car bomb exploded at 3.10pm on Saturday August 15th.
Her friend told her that she had heard what sounded like a bomb and believed it was nearby.
Karen rang off and immediately and phoned her mum and dad, Veronica and Ted, to find out if her family were safe. Fortunately, she received the news that all of her family were fine before the phone lines went down.
However, as the hours passed Karen learned that her schoolfriend of five years Avril Monaghan (nee Grimes), her unborn baby twins and 18 month old daughter Maura had been murdered in the explosion, as had Avril's mother.
Karen and Avril had sat beside each other for their five years at the Loreto Convent Grammar School in the town and had spent many happy times at Avril's home in Beragh.
Her mum, Veronica, a retired Sister of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Tyrone County Hospital dashed to the hospital shortly after the bomb went off to lend her assistance and experience.
"We thought all of this was behind us. It was just senseless butchery," says Karen, who prompted by the disaster decided to organise fundraisers to show solidarity with the people of her native town.
Just days after the bombing a Benefit Night was held in Rooney's pub in Haverstown where an Irish musician performed. The owner of the pub also agreed to donate a third of the night's proceeds to the event. $5000 was raised.
Just last Wednesday a fundraiser was held in Finnigan's Wake where another $5000 was raised.
Karen also opened a bank account in Ambler so that townspeople could contribute to the Omagh Fund.
Karen last visited Omagh in May of this year when she married her American boyfriend of seven years, Richard Alison.
As guests sat down to the reception a family friend relayed the news that the Good Friday Agreement had received overwhelming support from the people of the North.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1166
Published Date: 01-Oct-98
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