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Expats in Nice refuse to let the atrocity drive them out
| Published: | 18 Jul at 6 PM |
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Following the devastating terror attack on Bastille Day, British and Irish expat residents are defiantly stating they’re staying put and going nowhere.
France’s third terrorist attack during the past 18 months has failed to deter expats from the UK and Ireland from getting on with their lives in the popular Mediterranean seaside resort. Many own hospitality businesses and are determined not to let the atrocity affect their chosen lifestyles.
Dubliner Barry Gallagher’s pub sits just one street back from the wide, beachside promenade which became a killing ground for the driver of the huge lorry. Barry had gone home after the fireworks finished, leaving his staff to close up, but the pub’s doors were immediately opened to allow fugitives from the carnage to take shelter. Half, he said, were families with young children who, minutes earlier, had been enjoying the famous fireworks display.
Speaking to reporters, Barry insisted he was not going to allow the shocking atrocity to affect his life or his business. Saying that, these days, terrorist attacks can happen anywhere, he believes it’s useless to live life in fear by running, hiding and never going out. He added the French army had been on the streets of the city for a good while, and hopes racial tension won’t increase as the result of the attack.
Barman from Newcastle Michael Robinson said residents of Nice are friendly, resilient people, although they’re devastated and hurt by the tragedy. Adding that Nice is ‘a beautiful city in a beautiful country’, he told reporters he has no intention of leaving after five years of residence.
At present, he’s working in the Snug and Cellar pub, and had regularly enjoyed the annual Bastille Day fireworks display. Asked about security, he defended the measures normally taken as he feels the attack would have been almost impossible to stop. He’s happy to encourage tourists to visit the friendly city as well as stressing it’s a great place for expats to live permanently.
France’s third terrorist attack during the past 18 months has failed to deter expats from the UK and Ireland from getting on with their lives in the popular Mediterranean seaside resort. Many own hospitality businesses and are determined not to let the atrocity affect their chosen lifestyles.
Dubliner Barry Gallagher’s pub sits just one street back from the wide, beachside promenade which became a killing ground for the driver of the huge lorry. Barry had gone home after the fireworks finished, leaving his staff to close up, but the pub’s doors were immediately opened to allow fugitives from the carnage to take shelter. Half, he said, were families with young children who, minutes earlier, had been enjoying the famous fireworks display.
Speaking to reporters, Barry insisted he was not going to allow the shocking atrocity to affect his life or his business. Saying that, these days, terrorist attacks can happen anywhere, he believes it’s useless to live life in fear by running, hiding and never going out. He added the French army had been on the streets of the city for a good while, and hopes racial tension won’t increase as the result of the attack.
Barman from Newcastle Michael Robinson said residents of Nice are friendly, resilient people, although they’re devastated and hurt by the tragedy. Adding that Nice is ‘a beautiful city in a beautiful country’, he told reporters he has no intention of leaving after five years of residence.
At present, he’s working in the Snug and Cellar pub, and had regularly enjoyed the annual Bastille Day fireworks display. Asked about security, he defended the measures normally taken as he feels the attack would have been almost impossible to stop. He’s happy to encourage tourists to visit the friendly city as well as stressing it’s a great place for expats to live permanently.
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