SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT LED TO AN EVENTFUL AFTERNOON
Secretary of State's visit led to an eventful afternoon
THERE WERE tense moments at Omagh District Council offices on Monday, during the visit of the Secretary of State, Dr. Mowlam, was confronted by a group of protesters when she attended the launch of the Omagh Renewal and Beyond initiative.
As the Secretary of State's car sped up the aisle to the Council offices, a group of protesters, calling for restoration of a full services at Tyrone County Hospital, waved banners and placards.
Upon entering the Council offices, she was pursued by the protesters, amongst whom were the relatives of two of the victims of the Omagh bomb. As Dr. Mowlam prepared for a meeting with Councillors, protesters, including Lawrence Rushe and Michael Gallagher both of whom were bereaved in the Omagh bomb, were locked out of the building.
Whilst the meeting was ongoing in the Council Chamber protesters reportedly hammered on the glass doors demanding entry. Amongst the group was local businessman, Geoff Simpson who demanded entry as a rate payer. Mr. Simpson shouted at Council staff. "This is a dignified protest made undignified by the Council. You are the people who are undignified not allowing the victims and the victims supporters into a public building."
The situation continued for some fifteen minutes when a second, and separate, incident in the Chamber ended the impasse. At the beginning of the meeting in the meeting, Cllr. Oliver Gibson (DUP) objected to the presence of Sinn Fein
Assemblyman, Pat Doherty in the public gallery, since it had been proposed that the meeting be held in camera. There was some confusion, however, the situation was somewhat eased, when other Assemblymen were admitted to the meeting. At this juncture, Paddy McGowan proposed that four representatives of the protesters also be admitted to the public gallery, seconding the proposal, Cllr Pat McDonnell stressed that as rate payers, they were fully entitled to be admitted.
The rest of the meeting proceeded without a hitch, and Councillors variously raised the issues of inward investment, the restoration of hospital services, compensation for the victims families and finding an international investor for the advance factory at Doogary.
The Secretary of State, whilst affirming that she would look at all of the issues closely was unwilling to give guarantees about inward investment. However, she said the Omagh would be very much in mind when she travelled to the USA on a trade mission this week. She recognised that there had been a considerable number of claims for compensation and regretted the fact that there would, of necessity, be delays as claims were assessed.
Following the meeting, the Secretary of State met with a number of the protesters. Mr Rushe told her that he had been snubbed by the Labour Party and refused admission to the Annual Conference at Blackpool last week. He further slammed her for receiving a standing ovation from 'a bunch of yuppies' and said "You must have had a hollow victory at that (Blackpool Conference) 31 people died and you were taking a standing ovation".
Dr. Mowlam, who listened in silence, offered to have a private meeting with Mr. Rushe, however, he declined the offer. Meanwhile, a member of the trade union 'Unison' lobbied the Minister about the future of the Tyrone County Hospital.
THERE WERE tense moments at Omagh District Council offices on Monday, during the visit of the Secretary of State, Dr. Mowlam, was confronted by a group of protesters when she attended the launch of the Omagh Renewal and Beyond initiative.
As the Secretary of State's car sped up the aisle to the Council offices, a group of protesters, calling for restoration of a full services at Tyrone County Hospital, waved banners and placards.
Upon entering the Council offices, she was pursued by the protesters, amongst whom were the relatives of two of the victims of the Omagh bomb. As Dr. Mowlam prepared for a meeting with Councillors, protesters, including Lawrence Rushe and Michael Gallagher both of whom were bereaved in the Omagh bomb, were locked out of the building.
Whilst the meeting was ongoing in the Council Chamber protesters reportedly hammered on the glass doors demanding entry. Amongst the group was local businessman, Geoff Simpson who demanded entry as a rate payer. Mr. Simpson shouted at Council staff. "This is a dignified protest made undignified by the Council. You are the people who are undignified not allowing the victims and the victims supporters into a public building."
The situation continued for some fifteen minutes when a second, and separate, incident in the Chamber ended the impasse. At the beginning of the meeting in the meeting, Cllr. Oliver Gibson (DUP) objected to the presence of Sinn Fein
Assemblyman, Pat Doherty in the public gallery, since it had been proposed that the meeting be held in camera. There was some confusion, however, the situation was somewhat eased, when other Assemblymen were admitted to the meeting. At this juncture, Paddy McGowan proposed that four representatives of the protesters also be admitted to the public gallery, seconding the proposal, Cllr Pat McDonnell stressed that as rate payers, they were fully entitled to be admitted.
The rest of the meeting proceeded without a hitch, and Councillors variously raised the issues of inward investment, the restoration of hospital services, compensation for the victims families and finding an international investor for the advance factory at Doogary.
The Secretary of State, whilst affirming that she would look at all of the issues closely was unwilling to give guarantees about inward investment. However, she said the Omagh would be very much in mind when she travelled to the USA on a trade mission this week. She recognised that there had been a considerable number of claims for compensation and regretted the fact that there would, of necessity, be delays as claims were assessed.
Following the meeting, the Secretary of State met with a number of the protesters. Mr Rushe told her that he had been snubbed by the Labour Party and refused admission to the Annual Conference at Blackpool last week. He further slammed her for receiving a standing ovation from 'a bunch of yuppies' and said "You must have had a hollow victory at that (Blackpool Conference) 31 people died and you were taking a standing ovation".
Dr. Mowlam, who listened in silence, offered to have a private meeting with Mr. Rushe, however, he declined the offer. Meanwhile, a member of the trade union 'Unison' lobbied the Minister about the future of the Tyrone County Hospital.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1177
Published Date: 08-Oct-98
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