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As a nurse therapist practicing in an evolving multidisciplinary trauma and recovery team in Omagh, Northern Ireland the, by now infamous, Omagh Bombing of 15th August 1998 brought abruptly to attention the potential for adverse psychological consequences resulting from exposure to such trauma. While recognising that there are different psychological implications for people exposed to trauma, the impact on nurses who respond to the needs of trauma victims has been inadequately researched.
This article will focus on the experiences of nurses following the Omagh Bomb. No definitive answer is prescribed but it is hoped that the article will encourage debate as to the needs of nurses when dealing with trauma and disaster response. I initially intended to be academic in this article but after careful thought I felt a personal account with some local research findings might be more appropriate. As well as a nurse therapist in Omagh I am also chairperson of our local RCN Branch and an active steward. My different roles have brought me into contact with many nurses in many different areas.
The Omagh Bomb
On Saturday, 15th August 1998 at 3.04pm, a terrorist car bomb exploded in Market Street, Omagh, Northern Ireland. While warning had been given by the perpetrators they had not been clear in stating the location of their device, and vaguely referred to the local courthouse as being their target.
With this in mind the police had evacuated the area and imposed a cordon of 400 yards, beyond which many of those in the town were waiting patiently in the hope of a `false alarm' and a return to their shopping and socialising. Consequently the narrow street lined on either side by busy shops was packed with men, women and children. They were oblivious to the chilling fact that one of the cars in their midst, upon which some of them leant, contained the bomb.
The explosion led to the deaths of 29 people and two unborn children. Twenty-six families were bereaved, three from the Irish Republic, two in Spain and 20 in the locality of Omagh. Tragically another person died as a consequence of a traffic collision with an ambulance transferring one of the injured to hospital. Over 370 people were injured and were admitted to...