EMOTIONAL MANDELSON VOWS TO SUPPORT OMAGH FAMILIES
Emotional Mandelson vows to support Omagh families
By ADRIAN MULLAN
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had to be comforted by relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing when he broke down and cried during a meeting on Monday.
Following a visit to the Trauma Centre, Peter Mandelson became visibly emotional as representatives of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group recounted their experiences following the bomb.
Mr Mandelson said he was in Omagh to demonstrate that he hadn't forgotten the grief and anger that people feel as well as the frustration that no one has yet been brought to trial.
During the one hour lunch meeting, which took place at the Silverbirch Hotel, representatives of the group expressed a number of concerns including the way in which victims were compensated for the loss of a loved one. In particular, the group were concerned that compensation seemed to be 'means tested'.
Speaking after the meeting, Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, said they had impressed upon the Secretary of State the need for a review of the compensation process, which presently allowed for a one off bereavement payment of just over �7,000 for the death of a loved one.
They indicated to the Secretary of State their dissatisfaction with the fact that the British government had not used its influence to include the Real IRA on the US 'Patterns of global terrorism' list, because of the Irish government's concerns. They further indicated their unhappiness at the weak-ness of the Dublin Central Criminal Court in relation to terrorist conviction and asked the Secretary of State if his office could arrange for them to meet the Republic's Justice Minister.
The representatives of the Omagh Victims believed that the Secretary of State gave them a good hearing and were surprised and pleased to find that he was the exception to what they described as the 'hard faced' politician. They said that Mr Mandelson confessed to not having realised the scale of the suffering and of the efforts of those who worked with the victims and the victims' families.
"His visit to the Trauma Centre brought it home," said Mr McCombe. Additionally, the Secretary of State assured the representatives of the victims that he would look at the present regulations concerning compensation and offered to help in any way he could.
The Secretary of State said he had been overwhelmed by the 'courage and the dignity' shown by people involved especially the families of victims.
"We will never forget what happened and we will never turn away from those who have suffered so grievously. The only way in which we can lay to rest what happened is by bringing people to justice. Those who are responsible for this terrible atrocity, until that happens people will not rest, and I won't rest. I feel a personal sense of responsibility for applying the law and bringing this to a conclusion.
"I can't interfere in the law, I can't intervene in the police investigation, I can only satisfy myself that everything that should be done and can be done is being done. I have a lot of faith in the police and I simply repeat that they will have my full support, backing, and every resource they need to carry out their job."
However, neither the secretary of State nor the Northern Ireland Office have any specific plans to help Omagh recover from the economic and social impact of the tragedy.
He added: "Omagh is standing, it is living, there is a community which is very strong; bonds have been cemented others have been created out of the tremendous sense of loss which the people of Omagh feel. We have to do what we can to enable the town to thrive again. The government has helped and we will continue to help in the future."
By ADRIAN MULLAN
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had to be comforted by relatives of those killed in the Omagh bombing when he broke down and cried during a meeting on Monday.
Following a visit to the Trauma Centre, Peter Mandelson became visibly emotional as representatives of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group recounted their experiences following the bomb.
Mr Mandelson said he was in Omagh to demonstrate that he hadn't forgotten the grief and anger that people feel as well as the frustration that no one has yet been brought to trial.
During the one hour lunch meeting, which took place at the Silverbirch Hotel, representatives of the group expressed a number of concerns including the way in which victims were compensated for the loss of a loved one. In particular, the group were concerned that compensation seemed to be 'means tested'.
Speaking after the meeting, Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, said they had impressed upon the Secretary of State the need for a review of the compensation process, which presently allowed for a one off bereavement payment of just over �7,000 for the death of a loved one.
They indicated to the Secretary of State their dissatisfaction with the fact that the British government had not used its influence to include the Real IRA on the US 'Patterns of global terrorism' list, because of the Irish government's concerns. They further indicated their unhappiness at the weak-ness of the Dublin Central Criminal Court in relation to terrorist conviction and asked the Secretary of State if his office could arrange for them to meet the Republic's Justice Minister.
The representatives of the Omagh Victims believed that the Secretary of State gave them a good hearing and were surprised and pleased to find that he was the exception to what they described as the 'hard faced' politician. They said that Mr Mandelson confessed to not having realised the scale of the suffering and of the efforts of those who worked with the victims and the victims' families.
"His visit to the Trauma Centre brought it home," said Mr McCombe. Additionally, the Secretary of State assured the representatives of the victims that he would look at the present regulations concerning compensation and offered to help in any way he could.
The Secretary of State said he had been overwhelmed by the 'courage and the dignity' shown by people involved especially the families of victims.
"We will never forget what happened and we will never turn away from those who have suffered so grievously. The only way in which we can lay to rest what happened is by bringing people to justice. Those who are responsible for this terrible atrocity, until that happens people will not rest, and I won't rest. I feel a personal sense of responsibility for applying the law and bringing this to a conclusion.
"I can't interfere in the law, I can't intervene in the police investigation, I can only satisfy myself that everything that should be done and can be done is being done. I have a lot of faith in the police and I simply repeat that they will have my full support, backing, and every resource they need to carry out their job."
However, neither the secretary of State nor the Northern Ireland Office have any specific plans to help Omagh recover from the economic and social impact of the tragedy.
He added: "Omagh is standing, it is living, there is a community which is very strong; bonds have been cemented others have been created out of the tremendous sense of loss which the people of Omagh feel. We have to do what we can to enable the town to thrive again. The government has helped and we will continue to help in the future."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1515
Published Date: 02-Nov-00
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