DONATION REPRESENTS EXTENT OF SYMPATHY
DONATION REPRESENTS EXTENT OF SYMPATHY
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL
Major boost for Fund - now at �4.2 m
The president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Joe McDonagh, has said that the generous contributions made by the men, women and children both in Ireland and over seas to the GAA's Omagh Victims Fund, highlighted the groundswell of sympathy and support felt for the local community in the aftermath of last August's bomb atrocity.
Visiting Omagh St. Enda's GAC on Tuesday where he presented the Association's donation of three quarters of a million pounds to the trustees of the Omagh Fund, the GAA's top official told assembled guests that the Market Street bombing had left an indelible mark on so many peoples lives.
The �750,000 cheque Mr McDonagh handed over, represented the culmination of a major fundraising exercise by the GAA countrywide and abroad to help alleviate the suffering of the victims of Omagh.
Among those in attendance for the presentation were members of the Tyrone and Donegal County Boards and the host Omagh St. Enda's club; representatives of the GAA's four provincial councils; Omagh Fund trustees Joy McCormack and Dr Clifford McCord and the fund manager, Brian Oliphant; the Northern Ireland Sports Council's chief executive, Eamon McCartan and chairman Don Allen; the GAA's director general Liam Mulvihill; the chairman of Omagh District Council, Sean Clarke and his vice-chairman, Allan Rainey; the council's chief executive John McKinney; and the chairman of Donegal County Council, Damian Harkin, who was invited along to represent the community of Buncrana which had also been left devastated by the bombing.
Mr McDonagh said he was 'proud' that his organisation had responded so generously and he hoped that their contribution would be of help in a tangible way.
"But I would hesitate to use the word proud because today's a day when we reflect certainly on an enormous achievement, but most particularly on the reasons why this was first initiated.
"The Omagh tragedy has left an indelible mark on so many people's lives, most particularly those who were directly affected, those who were bereaved and those who have family and victims still suffering directly as a result of the horrific tragedy that happened on August 15."
He told those assembled that his visits to the homes of victims and too many of the tragic funerals in the days subsequent to the tragedy were 'sad and poignant memories that will stay with me forever'.
Mr McDonagh said he was astounded at the manner in which week in week out, month in month out' the GAA membership, including its overseas units, had rallied so magnificently to the cause.
Omagh District Council chairman, Sean Clarke, applauded the Association for its generous contribution.
"The GAA is, as we know a worldwide organisation. Where Irish people have settled throughout the world, they have taken with them their games, culture and their sense of community. Today's contribution from the Association, representing the extensive fundraising efforts from the membership the length and breadth of the island of Ireland and from the international membership, is proof of this strong sense of community."
Brendan McAleer, chairman of the host St. Enda's club, echoed this view when he spoke.
"I am humbled today because from all parts of Ireland you have come to Omagh to say we are still with you. That means a lot to the people of Omagh, not just the St. Enda's club, but the entire community. You are representing our friends throughout Ireland, and for that I thank you."
Speaking on behalf of the Omagh Fund, its chairman Sean O'Dwyer said that this contribution would substantially increase the Fund which currently stands at �4.2 million.
"The generosity of GAA clubs throughout Ireland and abroad has been overwhelming and has made this amazing figure possible. The donation is even more staggering considering it is the culmination of local fundraising at hundreds of individual GAA clubs throughout Ireland.
"The logistics of this would have taken considerable time and effort and for that we are truly grateful to everyone who contributed."
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL
Major boost for Fund - now at �4.2 m
The president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Joe McDonagh, has said that the generous contributions made by the men, women and children both in Ireland and over seas to the GAA's Omagh Victims Fund, highlighted the groundswell of sympathy and support felt for the local community in the aftermath of last August's bomb atrocity.
Visiting Omagh St. Enda's GAC on Tuesday where he presented the Association's donation of three quarters of a million pounds to the trustees of the Omagh Fund, the GAA's top official told assembled guests that the Market Street bombing had left an indelible mark on so many peoples lives.
The �750,000 cheque Mr McDonagh handed over, represented the culmination of a major fundraising exercise by the GAA countrywide and abroad to help alleviate the suffering of the victims of Omagh.
Among those in attendance for the presentation were members of the Tyrone and Donegal County Boards and the host Omagh St. Enda's club; representatives of the GAA's four provincial councils; Omagh Fund trustees Joy McCormack and Dr Clifford McCord and the fund manager, Brian Oliphant; the Northern Ireland Sports Council's chief executive, Eamon McCartan and chairman Don Allen; the GAA's director general Liam Mulvihill; the chairman of Omagh District Council, Sean Clarke and his vice-chairman, Allan Rainey; the council's chief executive John McKinney; and the chairman of Donegal County Council, Damian Harkin, who was invited along to represent the community of Buncrana which had also been left devastated by the bombing.
Mr McDonagh said he was 'proud' that his organisation had responded so generously and he hoped that their contribution would be of help in a tangible way.
"But I would hesitate to use the word proud because today's a day when we reflect certainly on an enormous achievement, but most particularly on the reasons why this was first initiated.
"The Omagh tragedy has left an indelible mark on so many people's lives, most particularly those who were directly affected, those who were bereaved and those who have family and victims still suffering directly as a result of the horrific tragedy that happened on August 15."
He told those assembled that his visits to the homes of victims and too many of the tragic funerals in the days subsequent to the tragedy were 'sad and poignant memories that will stay with me forever'.
Mr McDonagh said he was astounded at the manner in which week in week out, month in month out' the GAA membership, including its overseas units, had rallied so magnificently to the cause.
Omagh District Council chairman, Sean Clarke, applauded the Association for its generous contribution.
"The GAA is, as we know a worldwide organisation. Where Irish people have settled throughout the world, they have taken with them their games, culture and their sense of community. Today's contribution from the Association, representing the extensive fundraising efforts from the membership the length and breadth of the island of Ireland and from the international membership, is proof of this strong sense of community."
Brendan McAleer, chairman of the host St. Enda's club, echoed this view when he spoke.
"I am humbled today because from all parts of Ireland you have come to Omagh to say we are still with you. That means a lot to the people of Omagh, not just the St. Enda's club, but the entire community. You are representing our friends throughout Ireland, and for that I thank you."
Speaking on behalf of the Omagh Fund, its chairman Sean O'Dwyer said that this contribution would substantially increase the Fund which currently stands at �4.2 million.
"The generosity of GAA clubs throughout Ireland and abroad has been overwhelming and has made this amazing figure possible. The donation is even more staggering considering it is the culmination of local fundraising at hundreds of individual GAA clubs throughout Ireland.
"The logistics of this would have taken considerable time and effort and for that we are truly grateful to everyone who contributed."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1262
Published Date: 27-May-99
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