MOTHER SEARCHED THROUGH THE RUBBLE OF BOMB
Mother searched through the rubble of bomb
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
She knew in her heart her daughter was dead
HEARTBREAKING evidence at the Omagh Inquests on Thursday revealed that a mother knew in 'her heart' that her daughter was not alive as she frantically searched for her in the rubble after the bomb.
The Inquest also heard Mary Logue, of Loughmacrory Park, Loughmacrory, would never get over the death of her 17- year-old daughter, Brenda, who sustained multiple injuries which caused her death.
A barrister acting for the Logue family said Brenda's death had clearly shattered the life of Mrs Logue.
He told coroner, John Leckey: "She has never gotten over it, nor will she ever get over such a loss," he said.
Brenda was a student of Dean Brian Maguire High School and Mrs Logue told of her ambitions to pursue a career in Leisure and Tourism.
Two days after her death, the family had to endure further anguish when Brenda's GCSE results arrived.
Earlier permission had been granted to members of the Logue family to leave the courtroom before evidence of the pathologist report was dealt with.
Mrs Logue, who was present in court as her deposition was read, said she had travelled to Omagh that day with her daughter, Brenda and her mother, Philomena McCullagh. They browsed around the shops for a while before she and her daughter went into the Carlton coffee shop.
Later they were in Barratt's shoe shop when police came in asked then to evacuate the premises because of a bomb warning. They were directed down towards Market Street the scene of the blast.
After the bomb went off, she searched for her mother and found her but could not find Brenda. She recalled calling out her daughter's name on a number of occasions but got no reply. Her statement told of her hearing a moan and seeing a body to her right. However, the moan had come from her left. She pulled at the rubble but found nothing.
In the 'chaos' of the street "I knew in my heart that Brenda was not alive," she said.
She subsequently was taken to hospital where her frantic search for Brenda continued. She later attended Omagh Leisure Centre where personal details about her daughter were taken.
The inquest later heard that the deceased body had been identified by her dental records. The coroner said it proved to be a 'vital link in the chain confirmation" that this was the body of Brenda Logue.
Deceased was facing the bomb and was probably very close to it when it went off.
"The injuries were of a severity to cause immediate death" said the pathologist report.
Coroner Mr Leckey said he wished to take the opportunity to express to the family and friends of Brenda his deepest and heartfelt sympathy.
"Her mother told me her GCSE results came out a few days after and she intended to continue her studies".
He said it was dreadful to think that someone of 17 years, with all of her life in front of her, died in this terrible way.
Counsel for the family (instructed by Patrick Laverty & Co) said he was instructed by Mrs Logue to thank her family, friends, neighbours and counsellors for their help and support. She extended thanks to the police at the scene and those involved in the follow up emergency operation.
Mr Leckey said this was something which had been mentioned by the other families.
This range of support has been vital and the people who provided it will appreciate the expression of gratitude, he said.
By JACQUELINE COURTNEY
She knew in her heart her daughter was dead
HEARTBREAKING evidence at the Omagh Inquests on Thursday revealed that a mother knew in 'her heart' that her daughter was not alive as she frantically searched for her in the rubble after the bomb.
The Inquest also heard Mary Logue, of Loughmacrory Park, Loughmacrory, would never get over the death of her 17- year-old daughter, Brenda, who sustained multiple injuries which caused her death.
A barrister acting for the Logue family said Brenda's death had clearly shattered the life of Mrs Logue.
He told coroner, John Leckey: "She has never gotten over it, nor will she ever get over such a loss," he said.
Brenda was a student of Dean Brian Maguire High School and Mrs Logue told of her ambitions to pursue a career in Leisure and Tourism.
Two days after her death, the family had to endure further anguish when Brenda's GCSE results arrived.
Earlier permission had been granted to members of the Logue family to leave the courtroom before evidence of the pathologist report was dealt with.
Mrs Logue, who was present in court as her deposition was read, said she had travelled to Omagh that day with her daughter, Brenda and her mother, Philomena McCullagh. They browsed around the shops for a while before she and her daughter went into the Carlton coffee shop.
Later they were in Barratt's shoe shop when police came in asked then to evacuate the premises because of a bomb warning. They were directed down towards Market Street the scene of the blast.
After the bomb went off, she searched for her mother and found her but could not find Brenda. She recalled calling out her daughter's name on a number of occasions but got no reply. Her statement told of her hearing a moan and seeing a body to her right. However, the moan had come from her left. She pulled at the rubble but found nothing.
In the 'chaos' of the street "I knew in my heart that Brenda was not alive," she said.
She subsequently was taken to hospital where her frantic search for Brenda continued. She later attended Omagh Leisure Centre where personal details about her daughter were taken.
The inquest later heard that the deceased body had been identified by her dental records. The coroner said it proved to be a 'vital link in the chain confirmation" that this was the body of Brenda Logue.
Deceased was facing the bomb and was probably very close to it when it went off.
"The injuries were of a severity to cause immediate death" said the pathologist report.
Coroner Mr Leckey said he wished to take the opportunity to express to the family and friends of Brenda his deepest and heartfelt sympathy.
"Her mother told me her GCSE results came out a few days after and she intended to continue her studies".
He said it was dreadful to think that someone of 17 years, with all of her life in front of her, died in this terrible way.
Counsel for the family (instructed by Patrick Laverty & Co) said he was instructed by Mrs Logue to thank her family, friends, neighbours and counsellors for their help and support. She extended thanks to the police at the scene and those involved in the follow up emergency operation.
Mr Leckey said this was something which had been mentioned by the other families.
This range of support has been vital and the people who provided it will appreciate the expression of gratitude, he said.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1490
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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