OMAGH BOMB EXPERIENCE HELPED NEW YORK VICTIMS
Omagh bomb experience helped New York victims
S10NAN McSHERRY
THE attacks by al-Qaeda on the USA on Tuesday September 11, 2001 sent shock wave across the world. Practical and emotional aid flooded in from across the world as America tried to come to terms with the devastating at-tacks. That help included support from the NI Trauma and Transformation Centre which was set up after the Real IRA bomb in Omagh on August 22, 1998. The bombing in the town claimed the lives of 31 people and injured hundreds of others.
On what is often referred to as 9/11, al-Qaeda terrorists intentionally crashed two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City. Both towers collapsed within two hours. Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia while the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passenger tried to overcome the terrorists.
Nearly 3,000 victims and all 19 hijackers died in the attacks. There were no survivors from any of the flights and the overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 70 countries.
Prior to the Omagh bomb, Dr Kate Gillespie had forged links with a number of centres in her research into to therapeutic training. After August 1998 these contacts were quick to offer help to the Trauma Team in whatever way they could. Following the attacks in the US that generous spirit was reciprocated.
Dr Michael Duffy, was Head of the Trauma and Transformation Centre in 2001. He is now based at Queens University in Belfast and recalls the support between Omagh and America.
"We invited a group of representatives from various agencies to Omagh in 2004. They included clinicians and therapists from Project Liberty, the body founded to respond to all the needs of the 9/11 victims. There were also officers of NYPD and firemen took part in the four day workshop which presented the most up to date treatments in dealing with the trauma. We also organised a number of ceremonies including a visit to the American Embassy."
Dr Duffy and Dr Gillespie also travelled to New York to bring a training session for therapists working with the victims of trauma. It was a poignant visit.
"We were brought to Ground Zero on the site of the Twin Towers. It was a very moving experience to see the devastation and the huge amount of memorabilia and cards. I also met members of the New York Fire Service and heard real stories of heroism. It was a privilege to hear what they did to rescue people on that day."
The Trauma team then made it a priority to learn from the terrorist atrocities across the world.
Dr Duffy added, "There was so much goodwill came to Omagh after the 1998 bomb. There were so many offers of help and we wanted to give back to other people as had been given to us. It is so important the resources are there to help people in the aftermath of these terrible incidents. "The trauma can last for a very long time. At a time like this, with the anniversary coming up, many memories and feelings can come back to the surface. It can be a very distressing time. I have no doubt there are skilful people in New York who can help the victims through this."
S10NAN McSHERRY
THE attacks by al-Qaeda on the USA on Tuesday September 11, 2001 sent shock wave across the world. Practical and emotional aid flooded in from across the world as America tried to come to terms with the devastating at-tacks. That help included support from the NI Trauma and Transformation Centre which was set up after the Real IRA bomb in Omagh on August 22, 1998. The bombing in the town claimed the lives of 31 people and injured hundreds of others.
On what is often referred to as 9/11, al-Qaeda terrorists intentionally crashed two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York City. Both towers collapsed within two hours. Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia while the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after the passenger tried to overcome the terrorists.
Nearly 3,000 victims and all 19 hijackers died in the attacks. There were no survivors from any of the flights and the overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 70 countries.
Prior to the Omagh bomb, Dr Kate Gillespie had forged links with a number of centres in her research into to therapeutic training. After August 1998 these contacts were quick to offer help to the Trauma Team in whatever way they could. Following the attacks in the US that generous spirit was reciprocated.
Dr Michael Duffy, was Head of the Trauma and Transformation Centre in 2001. He is now based at Queens University in Belfast and recalls the support between Omagh and America.
"We invited a group of representatives from various agencies to Omagh in 2004. They included clinicians and therapists from Project Liberty, the body founded to respond to all the needs of the 9/11 victims. There were also officers of NYPD and firemen took part in the four day workshop which presented the most up to date treatments in dealing with the trauma. We also organised a number of ceremonies including a visit to the American Embassy."
Dr Duffy and Dr Gillespie also travelled to New York to bring a training session for therapists working with the victims of trauma. It was a poignant visit.
"We were brought to Ground Zero on the site of the Twin Towers. It was a very moving experience to see the devastation and the huge amount of memorabilia and cards. I also met members of the New York Fire Service and heard real stories of heroism. It was a privilege to hear what they did to rescue people on that day."
The Trauma team then made it a priority to learn from the terrorist atrocities across the world.
Dr Duffy added, "There was so much goodwill came to Omagh after the 1998 bomb. There were so many offers of help and we wanted to give back to other people as had been given to us. It is so important the resources are there to help people in the aftermath of these terrible incidents. "The trauma can last for a very long time. At a time like this, with the anniversary coming up, many memories and feelings can come back to the surface. It can be a very distressing time. I have no doubt there are skilful people in New York who can help the victims through this."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2036
Published Date: 08-Sep-11
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