Athlone in mourning as local family awaits formal identification

The Athlone husband and wife believed to be among those killed in a terror attack in Tunisia on Friday have been named as Larry and Martina Hayes.

Family members and friends have confirmed that the popular local couple are believed to be victims of the terror attack at a beach resort in Sousee, by a gunman, linked with terror group, ISIS.

The couple, in their mid 50s, had undertaken a number of holiday trips to Tunisia over the years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said today that the formal identification process for the two Irish citizens was ongoing.

The Department said it was providing all possible consular support to the family while Gardai were also liaising with family members.

The shocking news has stunned the town of Athlone where the quiet but popular couple were well known.

The couple moved to West Lodge, Athlone, in recent years, having spent all of their married life in Moydrum.

Laurence (known to many as Lonnie), an employee of Bus Eireann in Athlone, is a member of the well-known family, originally from Altown, Garrycastle, while Martina was a native of Kiltoom. The couple have one daughter.

Another Irish citizen Lorna Carty from Robinstown in Co Meath was on Friday confirmed as having lost her life in the horror attack.

On Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs expressed grave concern for two other Irish citizens who had been at the scene of the attacks.

Now, that concern has turned to indescribable grief for the family and friends of the Athlone couple as they await the final, formal identification.