MBE FOR FIREFIGHTER ON DUTY AFTER BOMB
MBE for firefighter on duty after bomb
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
Recognition also for time of service
A FIREFIGHTER who took part in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing, despite fearing members of his own family had been caught up in the blast, has been made an MBE.
And the man who coordinated the treatment of victims and a police officer involved in the aftermath of last August's tragedy, have also been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Sub Officer, Patrick McGillion who is attached to Newtownstewart Fire Brigade - was one of those who rushed to the aid of hundreds caught up in the atrocity.
He later discovered his grand-daughter, 21-month-old Breda Devine, had been among those killed in the blast. His daughter Tracey, son Garry and his fiancee Donna Marie Keyes were also critically injured.
Praising the actions of his colleague this week, the district officer for Omagh and Newtownstewart, John Langtry said Sub Officer McGillion's courage and dedication was tested under the most arduous situations one could imagine.
As crew commander of the Newtownstewart fire appliance, Sub Officer McGillion joined dozens of other firefighters at the scene in Market Street that Saturday afternoon, Mr Langtry said.
"He knew his immediate family was probably involved but he stayed on duty to command his crew until their work was finished. Only then did he ask to leave the scene of the incident.
"Like all firefighters that day, the courage he showed in the face of such a horrific incident, especially with the uncertainty of not knowing whether family or friends had been killed or maimed, made it probably one of the worst incidents the brigade attended.
"It is fitting that Sub Officer McGillion's courage and determination, which was tested under "the most arduous situations imaginable, was publicly recognised" he added.
Station Officer Langtry also praised as "second to none" the service firefighter McGillion had given to the Brigade since his appointment as Sub Officer over ten years ago.
Meanwhile, the man "responsible for co-ordinating the treatment of victims following the blast has also been honoured for his work.
David Bolton, Director of Community Care with Sperrin Lakeland Trust, was awarded the OBE for services to the community.
Following the explosion, hundreds of trauma victims were treated by a team of specialists from the local Trust.
This week Mr Bolton said the award, which was in recognition of the contribution of social services and other bodies associated with the aftermath of the bombing, was tinged with both appreciation and sadness.
"It has been a privilege and a moving and humbling experience, for myself and colleagues, to be able to help our community at its time of distress. We felt compelled to help in the face of such devastation and suffering.
"I am full of admiration for the deeply human and compassionate way in which colleagues in the Trust, and those working in other organisations and members of the community, have responded to the needs arising from the bombing.
"Likewise, colleagues who maintained our normal services and kept our administration going during those early frantic days after the bombing, played a vital role in the Trust's response" he added.
Welcoming news of the award, Trust Chairman Richard Scott said the honour was an acknowledgement of Mr Bolton's years of service to the social work profession.
"Whilst we recognise the specific association of this award with the Omagh bombing, we all know of David's work with the victims of the Troubles and emergency planning.
"This award complements those made to our hospital services by acknowledging the contribution of our community staff across all professions.
"It is a credit to all our staff for the commitment and dedication they have shown" added Mr Scott.
The RUC's Divisional Commander in Enniskillen, Supt. Maurice Murphy, who was also involved in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity, has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal.
A member of the force for 37 years, the father-of-four has served much of his career in the Fermanagh area. Following last August's attack, he worked closely in the RUC's follow up operation.
A police spokesperson said the 56-year-old officer's "sympathy, compassion and leadership" were much appreciated by both fellow officers and local people alike, following the tragedy which claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children.
Others who received awards included former Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Desmond Mitchell, who was granted the MBE for services to Local Government.
A native of Armagh, Mr Mitchell headed the local authority from the Government reorganisation of 1973 until 1988. During his time in Omagh, he was heavily involved in the development of the town and district.
He now holds the Chief Executive's post on Armagh City and District Council.
Former President of the Ulster Farmers Union, Walter Elliott JP, from Aughnacloy, has received the OBE for his dedication to the farming industry.
A chartered engineer who has a long history of involvement with the UFU, Mr Elliott has also served as a member of the Executive and South Tyrone Group.
Married with one son, he is a past chairman of the Cattle and Sheep Committee, a past chairman of the Tyrone County Committee and also served as chairman of the South Tyrone Group. He was elected President of the UFU in April 1997.
RUC Chief Superintendent Leslie Busby who served in Omagh was also awarded the MBE for services to the police.
The 51-year-old father of three spent the early part of his service in the border area before gaining promotion as sergeant in Omagh. He later served as Chief Inspector in Cookstown before moving to the post of Superintendent in Dungannon. He now serves in Lisnasharragh.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
Recognition also for time of service
A FIREFIGHTER who took part in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing, despite fearing members of his own family had been caught up in the blast, has been made an MBE.
And the man who coordinated the treatment of victims and a police officer involved in the aftermath of last August's tragedy, have also been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Sub Officer, Patrick McGillion who is attached to Newtownstewart Fire Brigade - was one of those who rushed to the aid of hundreds caught up in the atrocity.
He later discovered his grand-daughter, 21-month-old Breda Devine, had been among those killed in the blast. His daughter Tracey, son Garry and his fiancee Donna Marie Keyes were also critically injured.
Praising the actions of his colleague this week, the district officer for Omagh and Newtownstewart, John Langtry said Sub Officer McGillion's courage and dedication was tested under the most arduous situations one could imagine.
As crew commander of the Newtownstewart fire appliance, Sub Officer McGillion joined dozens of other firefighters at the scene in Market Street that Saturday afternoon, Mr Langtry said.
"He knew his immediate family was probably involved but he stayed on duty to command his crew until their work was finished. Only then did he ask to leave the scene of the incident.
"Like all firefighters that day, the courage he showed in the face of such a horrific incident, especially with the uncertainty of not knowing whether family or friends had been killed or maimed, made it probably one of the worst incidents the brigade attended.
"It is fitting that Sub Officer McGillion's courage and determination, which was tested under "the most arduous situations imaginable, was publicly recognised" he added.
Station Officer Langtry also praised as "second to none" the service firefighter McGillion had given to the Brigade since his appointment as Sub Officer over ten years ago.
Meanwhile, the man "responsible for co-ordinating the treatment of victims following the blast has also been honoured for his work.
David Bolton, Director of Community Care with Sperrin Lakeland Trust, was awarded the OBE for services to the community.
Following the explosion, hundreds of trauma victims were treated by a team of specialists from the local Trust.
This week Mr Bolton said the award, which was in recognition of the contribution of social services and other bodies associated with the aftermath of the bombing, was tinged with both appreciation and sadness.
"It has been a privilege and a moving and humbling experience, for myself and colleagues, to be able to help our community at its time of distress. We felt compelled to help in the face of such devastation and suffering.
"I am full of admiration for the deeply human and compassionate way in which colleagues in the Trust, and those working in other organisations and members of the community, have responded to the needs arising from the bombing.
"Likewise, colleagues who maintained our normal services and kept our administration going during those early frantic days after the bombing, played a vital role in the Trust's response" he added.
Welcoming news of the award, Trust Chairman Richard Scott said the honour was an acknowledgement of Mr Bolton's years of service to the social work profession.
"Whilst we recognise the specific association of this award with the Omagh bombing, we all know of David's work with the victims of the Troubles and emergency planning.
"This award complements those made to our hospital services by acknowledging the contribution of our community staff across all professions.
"It is a credit to all our staff for the commitment and dedication they have shown" added Mr Scott.
The RUC's Divisional Commander in Enniskillen, Supt. Maurice Murphy, who was also involved in the aftermath of the Omagh atrocity, has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal.
A member of the force for 37 years, the father-of-four has served much of his career in the Fermanagh area. Following last August's attack, he worked closely in the RUC's follow up operation.
A police spokesperson said the 56-year-old officer's "sympathy, compassion and leadership" were much appreciated by both fellow officers and local people alike, following the tragedy which claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children.
Others who received awards included former Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, Desmond Mitchell, who was granted the MBE for services to Local Government.
A native of Armagh, Mr Mitchell headed the local authority from the Government reorganisation of 1973 until 1988. During his time in Omagh, he was heavily involved in the development of the town and district.
He now holds the Chief Executive's post on Armagh City and District Council.
Former President of the Ulster Farmers Union, Walter Elliott JP, from Aughnacloy, has received the OBE for his dedication to the farming industry.
A chartered engineer who has a long history of involvement with the UFU, Mr Elliott has also served as a member of the Executive and South Tyrone Group.
Married with one son, he is a past chairman of the Cattle and Sheep Committee, a past chairman of the Tyrone County Committee and also served as chairman of the South Tyrone Group. He was elected President of the UFU in April 1997.
RUC Chief Superintendent Leslie Busby who served in Omagh was also awarded the MBE for services to the police.
The 51-year-old father of three spent the early part of his service in the border area before gaining promotion as sergeant in Omagh. He later served as Chief Inspector in Cookstown before moving to the post of Superintendent in Dungannon. He now serves in Lisnasharragh.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1276
Published Date: 17-Jun-99
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