Night of horror..Nora Hickey M’Sichili.
A Fermanagh woman living in Paris has revealed how some of her close friends narrowly escaped death during Friday night’s terror attacks in the city.
Nora Hickey M’Sichili is originally from Enniskillen. Her mother was curator of Fermanagh County Museum and Nora is a former pupil of Mount Lourdes Grammar School. She has been director of the Centre Culturel Irlandais and living in Paris since September 2013.
At the time of the attacks she was at home, but had been due to eat out at a restaurant in the 11th arrondissement, just 100 yards from the Bataclan theatre, where at least 89 people were killed by Islamic State gunmen.
“My first thoughts were of them (my friends), she explained. “I texted to ensure they were OK. Although they were just 100m from the Bataclan, they were completely oblivious to what was happening. On hearing the news, the restaurant staff and customers were escorted to the basement and the trapdoor bolted shut. They sat there for five hours waiting. I followed the news and kept them informed and sent messages of love and support.”
One of the Fermanagh woman’s colleagues also attended the concert in Bataclan, but thankfully escaped injury.
“He messaged to say he was in hiding. Hours later, after the building had been stormed by police, I was relieved to hear he had escaped unharmed. Another colleague lives metres from one of the affected restaurants, while four students who live in the Irish Cultural Centre, where I work, were at the Stade de France. I was anxious until I knew they were on their way home.”
She explained that everyone in Paris has been affected in some way by the attacks, which have left at 129 people dead and said a sense of fear remains in city.
“It feels like another attack could happen anywhere at any time. It is hard to talk about normality at this time.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere