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Three Irish people confirmed dead following Friday's mass shooting on Tunisian beach

A couple from County Westmeath killed in Friday's terrorist attack in Tunisia have been named loc...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.24 28 Jun 2015


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Three Irish people confirmed d...

Three Irish people confirmed dead following Friday's mass shooting on Tunisian beach

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.24 28 Jun 2015


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A couple from County Westmeath killed in Friday's terrorist attack in Tunisia have been named locally as Laurence and Martina Hayes.

The husband and wife who lived in Athlone are said to have been in their 50s, with one adult daughter.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan confirmed last night that there is "very strong reason to believe two additional Irish citizens have lost their lives in the terrorist attack. The process of formal identification of victims is continuing in Tunis".

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It brings to three the number of Irish people who died as a result of the mass shooting at a beach in Sousse. Lorna Carty from County Meath was also killed in the attack.

Local TD Denis Naughten says the Hayes family is very well known in the area:

Tributes are being paid to the couple.

Mayor of Athlone Cllr Tom Farrell says the community will rally to support their daughter and extended family:

Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran today extended his condolences to the Hayes family, who lived in his diocese.

He has described the killings as "a mindless act of violence":

At least 38 people died after gunman Seifeddine Yacoubi opened fire in Port el Kantaoui on the outskirts of Sousse two days ago.

The British death toll has risen to 15, while Belgians, Germans and French were also among those killed.

Irish mother-of-two Lorna Carty, from Robinstown, Co Meath, was killed in the attack. Family friends said she had taken her husband on holiday to help him recover from heart surgery.

She is survived by her husband Declan, son Simon, daughter Hazel, her parents and siblings.

In a statement on social media, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Tunisian attack and released photos they said showed the gunman.

"Our brother, the soldier of the Caliphate, Abu Yahya al Qayrawani, reached his target the Imperial hotel despite the security measures," the statement said. It said he had attacked a "bordel" and killed 40 "infidels".

Terrified families ran for their lives on Friday as the killer, wearing shorts and hiding a Kalashnikov inside an umbrella, started shooting in Port el Kantaoui on the outskirts of Sousse.

He then entered the Imperial Marhaba hotel through the swimming pool area, shooting and throwing an explosive as he went, according to witnesses.

A security source said another bomb was found on his body, which lay with his assault rifle in the street where he was shot.

Irish man Kevin McCabe lives in Tunisia. He witnessed the attack on the beach:


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