Families ‘devastated’ by loss after Tunisia massacre
Three Irish tourists died in Isil gunman’s murderous spree Jury gives unlawful killing verdict after emotional testimony
THE families of three Irish people murdered in a terrorist attack in Tunisia have said they are still devastated by their “tremendous loss” following an inquest into their loved ones’ deaths.
Laurence Hayes (56), his wife Martina (55), from Athlone, Co Westmeath, and Lorna Carty (54), from Co Meath, were shot dead when Seifeddine Rezgui carried out a murderous rampage in the tourist resort of Sousse on June 26, 2015.
Rezgui killed 38 people in total during the attack which lasted just over 20 minutes.
Yesterday, a jury at Dublin Coroner’s Court returned verdicts of unlawful killing for all three deaths.
They also recommended that a link to a Department of Foreign Affairs smartphone app alerting tourists to risks associated with travel abroad be permanently displayed on all travel websites and form an integral part of all travel bookings from now on.
In a statement after the inquest, the Carty and Hayes families said no words could express their pain.
The statement read: “We are all still devastated by the tremendous loss we have endured.
“We hope that no family ever has to endure the pain and tragic loss we have suffered.
“We thank all of those who have been here for us over the last 32 months and who have provided support and comfort to us, they have brought us some solace during this difficult time.”
The hearing heard harrowing testimony from the families of the victims and other Irish holidaymakers who were caught up in the carnage.
Giving evidence, Sinead Hayes (33), the only child of Martina and Laurence Hayes, from Westlodge, Athlone, said the couple went on holiday to mark their wedding anniversary.
“They were due to fly back into Dublin at midnight on June 26, a Friday. Unfortunately they never got to fly back,” she said.
Gunman Rezgui had disguised his Kalashnikov rifle under a parasol as he walked 700m from a parked van on to the beach where he opened fire.
The three Irish were among the first of his 38 victims.
The inquest heard the Isil gunman specifically targeted tourists during the attack before he was gunned down by Tunisian authorities.
Ms Carty’s husband Declan also explained how he desperately tried to ring his wife as the terror attack unfolded.
Mr Carty travelled to the North African resort for a break with his wife after recently suffering a heart attack.
He said that they moved to the Imperial Marhaba Hotel from another hotel due to construction work.
He told the inquest that in the aftermath of the killing he made his way to the beach and found his beloved wife’s body under a beach towel.
The inquest also heard from other Irish tourists who were caught up in the deadly attack.
Shooting
Benjamin Godber was on a family holiday with his wife Rachel, and daughters Bethan and Gemma, and was staying at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel.
He told the inquest that the family were at the pool, and he heard a crackling sound on his way to the toilet.
“There was a man shooting a gun it was a Kalashnikov rifle. He was coming up from the beach towards the hotel.
“I was approximately 100 metres from him. There were people actually running past him.
“He was taking his time. He wasn’t firing wildly. Shots seemed to be firing in twos.
“He appeared like a silhouette in the distance.
“I can’t say exactly what he looked like, but I clearly remember the gun,” the witness said.
He told how the pool area was empty at this point as people had fled from Rezgui.
Mr Godber went into the lobby, and a member of staff led him to a room, where around 10 guests and three staff members locked the door.
They could hear gunfire, but eventually were able to leave when it was safe to do so.
His wife and children had managed to seek refuge while the attack was going on.
Detective Superintendent Mark Gower, from the Metropolitan Police who was the senior investigating officer in the UK, said that he had attended inquests for the 30 British victims.
Extending his sympathies to families of the deceased, he said: “It is a tough time.”
A presentation by the Metropolitan Police showed jurors the route that Rezgui took as he ruthlessly targeted his victims.
The entire incident is believed to have lasted around 20 minutes.
He was taking his time. He wasn’t firing wildly. Shots seemed to be firing in twos