Envoy ‘hopeful’ for Wednesday return of Irish killed in Tunisia

Ireland’s ambassador to Tunisia David Cooney has said he is “very hopeful” the bodies of three Irish citizens killed in last Friday’s terrorist attack in Sousse will be repatriated on Wednesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday the formal identification process had been completed by the Tunisian authorities, and the names of the dead had been confirmed as Lorna Carty, Laurence Hayes and Martina Hayes.

Mr Cooney, who is based in Madrid but travelled to Tunisia on Friday to assist with the repatriation process, told The Irish Times that "considerable progress" had been made and the focus now was on completing paperwork and organising travel arrangements.

“We’re very much hopeful that we might be able to move towards repatriation tomorrow,” he said.

“There is a lot of paperwork you have to go through. Certificates have to be issued and you’ve got to have your documentation for transportation.”

He said the responsibility for repatriation lay with the travel insurers and that his office is working “very closely” with them.

“Obviously we work very closely with them, and here in particular we’ve been working to get the release of the remains, to make sure all the documentation has been signed by local representatives,” he added.

In the Dáil on Tuesday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he had spoken with Britain’s prime minister David Cameron about “working together” to tackle Islamist extremists and provide support for democratic nations such as Tunisia.

“We will be working together to do all we can to protect the freedom and security we hold dear,” he said.

“Through the EU, we will work with Tunisia, to make sure that it remains a popular, secure and peaceful holiday destination. We will also work with our partners to end the threat of Isis [also known as Islamic State] with its savagery and hate.”

Mr Kenny also extended condolences on behalf of the Government to the families of the dead, while a minute’s silence was observed in the Dáil following expressions of condolence from the other party leaders.

“Equally, we stand with the people of Tunisia who feel shocked and betrayed,” said Mr Kenny.

“This attack was an act of hatred. It was a rejection of the values of respect, equality and freedom which we hold so dear.

“It was also an act of terror which aimed to undermine Tunisia – to damage its tourist industry and to spread hardship to the Tunisian people, to promote extremism and destroy Tunisia’s progress towards democracy and pluralism.

“The Tunisian people have shown care to the dead, the injured and the bereaved and this is a testament to our shared humanity, our shared compassion, and our desire to live in peace. We support their efforts to achieve democracy, security and prosperity.”

A book of condolence was opened on Tuesday for Laurence and Martina Hayes, who were husband and wife, in their home town of Athlone, Co Westmeath. It will remain open at the Civic Centre from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann, where Mr Hayes worked for 20 years as a schools transport inspector, said he was “highly regarded on both a personal and professional level by all his colleagues”.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation opened an online book of condolence for Lorna Carty, from Robinstown, Co Meath, who worked as a nurse. Lord mayor of Belfast Arder Carson was the first to sign another book of condolence which opened in Belfast City Hall on Tuesday morning.

Mr Cameron’s spokeswoman said the bodies of those killed were set to begin returning on Wednesday, as it was confirmed the number of British people killed in the attack in Sousse was expected to reach 30.