SECRETARY OF STATE SPENDS DAY IN OMAGH
Secretary of State spends day in Omagh
By: JOHN McCUSKER
Warm reception for NIO Chief even at police station
SECRETARY of State Peter Mandelson paid his first visit to Omagh on Monday, during which he laid the foundation stone at the site of a new �1.3m Boys and Girls Club premises in James Street.
Mr Mandelson also paid tribute to the determination of the people of the town when he delivered a millennium message to guests attending a Chamber of Commerce lunch in the Silverbirch Hotel.
During the day-long stopover, the Northern Secretary also spoke to local police officers and paid his respects to those who died in the Market Street tragedy in August 1998.
A highlight of the visit was his personal endorsement of the efforts of those behind the ambitious Boys and Girls Club premises on the site of the former railway goods yard.
Commenting on the project, Mr Mandelson said he was delighted to see the young people of Omagh enter the new millennium equipped with such "splendid, new, purpose-built premises."
Earlier in the day, Mr Mandelson visited Omagh District Council offices where he met with officials. There, campaigners calling for the retention of services at Tyrone County Hospital also expressed their concerns to the Minister.
Mr Mandelson then travelled on to the site of the Market Street bombing where he stood for a moment's silence at the garden of remembrance set up in memory of those who died in the atrocity.
He was later presented with a letter from relatives of those who died in the explosion, calling for a meeting to discuss victims' concerns.
After being shown the ongoing development work at the site of the explosion, he undertook a 15-minute town centre walkabout. Speaking to shoppers and business representatives, he praised the spirit of the people of the town and described as "inspiring" the attitude of the residents since the tragedy.
By: JOHN McCUSKER
Warm reception for NIO Chief even at police station
SECRETARY of State Peter Mandelson paid his first visit to Omagh on Monday, during which he laid the foundation stone at the site of a new �1.3m Boys and Girls Club premises in James Street.
Mr Mandelson also paid tribute to the determination of the people of the town when he delivered a millennium message to guests attending a Chamber of Commerce lunch in the Silverbirch Hotel.
During the day-long stopover, the Northern Secretary also spoke to local police officers and paid his respects to those who died in the Market Street tragedy in August 1998.
A highlight of the visit was his personal endorsement of the efforts of those behind the ambitious Boys and Girls Club premises on the site of the former railway goods yard.
Commenting on the project, Mr Mandelson said he was delighted to see the young people of Omagh enter the new millennium equipped with such "splendid, new, purpose-built premises."
Earlier in the day, Mr Mandelson visited Omagh District Council offices where he met with officials. There, campaigners calling for the retention of services at Tyrone County Hospital also expressed their concerns to the Minister.
Mr Mandelson then travelled on to the site of the Market Street bombing where he stood for a moment's silence at the garden of remembrance set up in memory of those who died in the atrocity.
He was later presented with a letter from relatives of those who died in the explosion, calling for a meeting to discuss victims' concerns.
After being shown the ongoing development work at the site of the explosion, he undertook a 15-minute town centre walkabout. Speaking to shoppers and business representatives, he praised the spirit of the people of the town and described as "inspiring" the attitude of the residents since the tragedy.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1322
Published Date: 20-Jan-00
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