15/03/2002

Teens injured by booby-trap bomb welcomed to Down Royal

Two teenagers who were injured during a terrorist bomb attack at a horse-racing event in Armagh are set to be guests of honour at Down Royal.

The invitation was issued by the chairman of Down Royal following reports that the boys had reservations about returning to racing events.

The two 16-year-olds, Stephen Kennedy and Jonathan Crilly, and their families will have an opportunity to meet with the first lady of racing – Jenny Pitman – when she arrives for the St Patrick's Day event.

Jenny Pitman is the most successful female trainer in the history of racing hainvg trained winners of the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup. She has recently been recovering from an illness having just seen her first novel 'On The Edge' published.

The boys suffered slight injuries to their lower legs and hands in the blast at Farmacaffley races on March 2. A police spokesman said afterwards that they were "lucky to be alive".

The explosion was blamed on dissident republican terrorists and had been placed under a police traffic cone. The boys moved the cone to allow access for a car and setting off the booby-trap device.

(GMcG)

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