FRIENDS SHOPPING WHEN THET WERE CAUGHT UP IN BOMB
Friends out shopping when they were caught up in bomb
ADRIAN Gallagher had been shopping for clothes with a friend when they were moved down the street following the bomb alert.
As a result of the injuries he received in the explosion, the 21-year-old light vehicle body repairer would not have been aware of what had happened to him, the coroner's hearing was told.
Earlier in the afternoon of 15th August, 1998, Adrian had picked up his friend, Michael Barrett and both had been in Watterson's outfitters when word of the bomb scare came through.
Michael Barrett told the court how he and Adrian moved down Market Street towards the Dublin Road. "All of a sudden there was a massive explosion and everywhere went black with smoke and dust and debris," he said.
Something fell on his foot and he was unable to walk for a time. As he attempted to search for his friend he felt weak and fell on the footpath outside the Kozy Corner bar.
James Quinn, who had been at the bowling green close to the Leisure Centre, ran to the scene to help. Amid the chaos he came across the injured Adrian.
"He turned his head away from me and he let two big sighs and then he was gone," he told the Inquest.
Adrian's uncle, James Gallagher, gave evidence of identifying his body.
State Pathologist, Professor Jack Crane told the court that Adrian had been struck in the face by a piece of shrapnel. He also suffered spinal injuries and superficial burns which suggested he had quite close to the explosion.
Unconsciousness would have been almost instantaneous and he would not have been aware of what had happened, Professor Crane said.
In extending condolences to members of Adrian's family, Coroner John Leckey said he hoped the fact that death had been rapid would be of some comfort to them in their grieving.
ADRIAN Gallagher had been shopping for clothes with a friend when they were moved down the street following the bomb alert.
As a result of the injuries he received in the explosion, the 21-year-old light vehicle body repairer would not have been aware of what had happened to him, the coroner's hearing was told.
Earlier in the afternoon of 15th August, 1998, Adrian had picked up his friend, Michael Barrett and both had been in Watterson's outfitters when word of the bomb scare came through.
Michael Barrett told the court how he and Adrian moved down Market Street towards the Dublin Road. "All of a sudden there was a massive explosion and everywhere went black with smoke and dust and debris," he said.
Something fell on his foot and he was unable to walk for a time. As he attempted to search for his friend he felt weak and fell on the footpath outside the Kozy Corner bar.
James Quinn, who had been at the bowling green close to the Leisure Centre, ran to the scene to help. Amid the chaos he came across the injured Adrian.
"He turned his head away from me and he let two big sighs and then he was gone," he told the Inquest.
Adrian's uncle, James Gallagher, gave evidence of identifying his body.
State Pathologist, Professor Jack Crane told the court that Adrian had been struck in the face by a piece of shrapnel. He also suffered spinal injuries and superficial burns which suggested he had quite close to the explosion.
Unconsciousness would have been almost instantaneous and he would not have been aware of what had happened, Professor Crane said.
In extending condolences to members of Adrian's family, Coroner John Leckey said he hoped the fact that death had been rapid would be of some comfort to them in their grieving.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1488
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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