Firefighter Paddy Quinn recounted the harrowing experience of responding to the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, drawing parallels to the grim scenes witnessed during the Vietnam War. As a member of the Northern Ireland Fire Service in the Omagh district, Quinn testified at the inquiry into the 1998 Real IRA bombing that claimed the lives of 29 individuals, including children and members of one family. He expressed that nothing in his 29-year firefighting career has matched the devastation he witnessed that day.
When the bomb detonated, Quinn, who was working at his carpet shop, swiftly made his way to the fire station and was among the first emergency responders to arrive on the scene. Anticipating a routine call to clear debris or extinguish a fire, he was instead met with chaos, destruction, and suffering. The shocking sight of injured individuals and terrified civilians left a lasting impression on Quinn and his fellow firefighters, who bravely navigated the mangled aftermath in search of survivors.
Local firefighters, including Quinn, grappled with personal concerns for their loved ones caught up in the tragedy while diligently carrying out their duties to assist others in need. The emotional toll of the incident lingered, prompting Quinn to seek training in critical incident stress management to support his colleagues in processing the trauma they endured. The haunting memories of that fateful day in Omagh continue to resonate, underscoring the lasting impact of the bombing on those who responded to the crisis.
Paramedic Richard Quigley reflected on the somber aftermath of the bombing, describing the eerie silence that enveloped the scene as victims had been evacuated to hospitals. With a stark recollection of the pervasive scent of beer emanating from nearby establishments destroyed by the blast, Quigley recounted the grim task of recovering bodies and the profound challenge of identifying remains amidst the de
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
