Survivors trying to come to terms

Six months after the worst single outrage in the North's troubles, hundreds are still struggling to come to terms with the physical…

Six months after the worst single outrage in the North's troubles, hundreds are still struggling to come to terms with the physical and psychological impact of the Omagh atrocity.

Counselling services are stretched. A 19-strong trauma team set up by Sperrin Lakeland Trust has so far dealt with 350 referrals, nearly a third of them children.

Hundreds more have sought counselling from support organisations such as Victim Support and TARA - and the last of those seriously injured have left hospital. For some, the struggle of coming to terms with the tragedy has already taken shape. Ms Donna Marie Keys, who was given a 50 per cent chance of survival after suffering extensive burns, is looking forward to marrying her fiance, Mr Gary McGillion, who was also critically injured in the blast.

Ms Suzanne Kelly, a student teacher, lost her right leg just below the knee. Her mother, Christine, spent a week in a coma and has lost the sight of an eye. Last week, Suzanne passed her driving test in what she terms a "normal" car, having refused to take lessons in a specially adapted vehicle. Suzanne's determination is characteristic of the strength shown by many of the victims.

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Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son, Adrian, was among the 29 victims, has yet to return to the car repair workshop they shared. "It's still too painful to go back alone. Everywhere I look I come across reminders of Adrian."

In an effort to gauge the impact of the atrocity on the wider community, the local health trust has started to survey the population. An estimate of £6.5 million has been put on the cost of treating the injured and traumatised over the next four years.