DRANK TO BLOCK OUT BOMB HORROR
Drank to block out bomb horror - court told
AN OMAGH man who witnessed the horrific scenes at Market Street on the day of the bomb told an RM how he attempted to drink himself into oblivion that night.
Ian Loughrey, of 59 Market Street, appeared before Omagh Magistrate's Court accused of using behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace after becoming involved in a dispute with the RUC at security cordons on August 15th.
He was also accused of obstructing a Constable.
An RUC Inspector told the court a police cordon had been drawn across George's Street. The defendant emerged from Broderick's bar and insisted on crossing the cordon.
When he was told he could not and an alternative route suggested he became abusive, and was arrested.
But 43 year old Loughrey, acting in his own defence, told the RM that he had unfortunately been caught up in the events of August 15th, when the bomb went off.
"I thought if I took a drink I could wipe out the images that I had seen. I was in a daze and just drank and drank which is unlike me as I am not a heavy drinker.
"I remember very little of the incident but there was no malice intended. I appreciate that the police have a difficult job to do but my head was away and I was just not myself."
The RM told Loughrey "a lot of people were shocked that day but that does not give you an excuse", to which he replied "I appreciate that".
Loughrey was bound over to keep the peace for a year.
AN OMAGH man who witnessed the horrific scenes at Market Street on the day of the bomb told an RM how he attempted to drink himself into oblivion that night.
Ian Loughrey, of 59 Market Street, appeared before Omagh Magistrate's Court accused of using behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace after becoming involved in a dispute with the RUC at security cordons on August 15th.
He was also accused of obstructing a Constable.
An RUC Inspector told the court a police cordon had been drawn across George's Street. The defendant emerged from Broderick's bar and insisted on crossing the cordon.
When he was told he could not and an alternative route suggested he became abusive, and was arrested.
But 43 year old Loughrey, acting in his own defence, told the RM that he had unfortunately been caught up in the events of August 15th, when the bomb went off.
"I thought if I took a drink I could wipe out the images that I had seen. I was in a daze and just drank and drank which is unlike me as I am not a heavy drinker.
"I remember very little of the incident but there was no malice intended. I appreciate that the police have a difficult job to do but my head was away and I was just not myself."
The RM told Loughrey "a lot of people were shocked that day but that does not give you an excuse", to which he replied "I appreciate that".
Loughrey was bound over to keep the peace for a year.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1741
Published Date: 10-Sep-98
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