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Irish couple killed in Tunisia shooting are laid to rest in Westmeath

A Westmeath couple tragically killed in the Tunisian beach massacre last week have been laid...
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.33 3 Jul 2015


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Irish couple killed in Tunisia...

Irish couple killed in Tunisia shooting are laid to rest in Westmeath

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.33 3 Jul 2015


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A Westmeath couple tragically killed in the Tunisian beach massacre last week have been laid to rest.

The funeral has heard that the murders of Laurence and Martina Hayes have left a community 'shocked, stunned and devastated'.

They were holidaying in the resort of Sousse, when they were among 38 people killed by an Islamic State gunman.

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The couple were married for over 30 years.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul for the mass - including Aides de Camp for the President and Taoiseach, Minister Paschal Donohoe and the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin.

The couple are survived by their daughter Sinead, who turns 31 today.

Chief celebrant Canon Liam Devine said the violence of 'brainwashed' fanatics had invaded the town, which has now been united in grief.

Last night, over 2,000 people queued along the Strand in the town to pay their respects at the couple's removal mass.

At the service yesterday, Fr Devine said the 'hearts of a nation' bled for Lonnie and Martina Hayes.

The large crowds forced the removal mass to be delayed by an hour.

Mr Hayes had worked for Bus Éireann for the last 20 years as a schools transport inspector.

A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann said: "The company wish to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Larry Hayes and his wife Martina."

She said Mr Hayes was "highly regarded on both a personal and professional level" by all his colleagues at Bus Éireann.

Meanwhile the third Irish victim, Lorna Carty from Co Meath, will be laid to rest tomorrow following her funeral mass in Robinstown.


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