THIS IS WHAT A BOMB DOES TO PEOPLE
This is what a bomb does to people. It blows them apart and proves nothing' - cameraman
By JOHN McCUSKER
AN amateur camcorder operator who filmed horrific footage in the aftermath of the Market Street explosion has said the bombers should be shown the carnage they inflicted on innocent bystanders.
Appalling scenes captured by Patsy McElhatton (59), from Fintona, were among three separate videos shown during the inquests into the atrocity.
Almost 10 minutes of unedited footage demonstrated in graphic detail the full horrors moments after the explosion. Rescuers were seen clawing frantically amid the rubble in search of survivors. Around them bodies lay strewn on the street.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr McElhatton who had intended filming members of Fintona Cycling Club later in the evening - said the tape brought back to him the awful memories of that day.
He watched its contents just once before police seized the original six days after the explosion.
"I made the tape so the rest of the world could see what had been done. This is what a bomb does to people. It blows them apart and proves nothing," he said.
"Those who carried out this crime should be made to watch these scenes. These were just innocent people in town on a Saturday afternoon doing their shopping. I just wish those who carried out, this crime could see for themselves the pain they have inflicted.
"When I visit a graveyard and see the grave of some youngster who died that day, I ask myself, what is it all for?" he asked.
Most of the relatives watched the video in the privacy of the family room at Omagh Leisure Centre. Others chose not to view its contents at all.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian died, said families who saw the tapes wanted to do so in private so they could support each other,
"When I first saw them, I wondered how anyone could keep a camera running at a time like that," he said.
"But now I am glad they did and they should be shown around the world to let people see the full horror of Omagh and what they done to our loved ones.
"Every person who ever thinks about planting a bomb should watch those videos and see what effect their actions could have."
While he watched the scenes, Mr Gallagher said he tried to imagine where his son was during those moments.
"When I saw the smoke of the bomb going up, I felt that was really his life disappearing. I don't know how long he lived for. I just felt that he was there and he wanted someone there to comfort him. It was a very, very sad experience."
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among the victims, said he could not bring himself to watch the video evidence. However, he believed politicians from both sides of the border should be made sit and view them.
He said: "In my opinion watching them doesn't help the healing process. I'm glad I didn't watch them families now feel they shouldn't have watched either.
"But it might help the politicians get their act together, use their legislation and get those responsible before a court and make them pay for what they did."
Marion Radford explained how she had searched the video footage in an effort to see where her 16-year-old son, Alan lay.
"I watched because I was looking for where his body was. I know I was near it and I can't believe how I didn't find him.
"I want to know that he died outright, how long his body was lying there.
"When I watched the videos it brought it all back to me and I couldn't believe how a human being could do that and cause such destruction and loss of life," she added.
By JOHN McCUSKER
AN amateur camcorder operator who filmed horrific footage in the aftermath of the Market Street explosion has said the bombers should be shown the carnage they inflicted on innocent bystanders.
Appalling scenes captured by Patsy McElhatton (59), from Fintona, were among three separate videos shown during the inquests into the atrocity.
Almost 10 minutes of unedited footage demonstrated in graphic detail the full horrors moments after the explosion. Rescuers were seen clawing frantically amid the rubble in search of survivors. Around them bodies lay strewn on the street.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr McElhatton who had intended filming members of Fintona Cycling Club later in the evening - said the tape brought back to him the awful memories of that day.
He watched its contents just once before police seized the original six days after the explosion.
"I made the tape so the rest of the world could see what had been done. This is what a bomb does to people. It blows them apart and proves nothing," he said.
"Those who carried out this crime should be made to watch these scenes. These were just innocent people in town on a Saturday afternoon doing their shopping. I just wish those who carried out, this crime could see for themselves the pain they have inflicted.
"When I visit a graveyard and see the grave of some youngster who died that day, I ask myself, what is it all for?" he asked.
Most of the relatives watched the video in the privacy of the family room at Omagh Leisure Centre. Others chose not to view its contents at all.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian died, said families who saw the tapes wanted to do so in private so they could support each other,
"When I first saw them, I wondered how anyone could keep a camera running at a time like that," he said.
"But now I am glad they did and they should be shown around the world to let people see the full horror of Omagh and what they done to our loved ones.
"Every person who ever thinks about planting a bomb should watch those videos and see what effect their actions could have."
While he watched the scenes, Mr Gallagher said he tried to imagine where his son was during those moments.
"When I saw the smoke of the bomb going up, I felt that was really his life disappearing. I don't know how long he lived for. I just felt that he was there and he wanted someone there to comfort him. It was a very, very sad experience."
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among the victims, said he could not bring himself to watch the video evidence. However, he believed politicians from both sides of the border should be made sit and view them.
He said: "In my opinion watching them doesn't help the healing process. I'm glad I didn't watch them families now feel they shouldn't have watched either.
"But it might help the politicians get their act together, use their legislation and get those responsible before a court and make them pay for what they did."
Marion Radford explained how she had searched the video footage in an effort to see where her 16-year-old son, Alan lay.
"I watched because I was looking for where his body was. I know I was near it and I can't believe how I didn't find him.
"I want to know that he died outright, how long his body was lying there.
"When I watched the videos it brought it all back to me and I couldn't believe how a human being could do that and cause such destruction and loss of life," she added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1733
Published Date: 14-Sep-00
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