Irishman, 22, died in Tube terror attacks

POLICE in London have confirmed that a 22-year-old man who lived with his Irish parents in the city was among the victims of last Thursday’s bomb attacks.

Ciarán Cassidy, an Irish citizen, had been missing since he left his home at Finsbury Park to take the train to work in central London. Police said he died in the bomb attack on the Tube at Russell Square.

His father Sean Cassidy, who is originally from Swalinbar, Co Cavan, said their worst fears had been realised and they had already given up all hope of finding him alive.

“When his boss rang and said he hadn’t been at work, then alarm bells started. We could do nothing at that stage. All we could do was sit down and think about it,” Mr Cassidy, a 57-year-old postman, said.

Several inquests, including Mr Cassidy’s, were opened at a hearing in London yesterday. Inner North London coroner Dr Andrew Reid told the hearing that the victims were identified primarily by dental records.

The inquests were adjourned while police investigations continue into the bomb attacks that left at least 52 people dead.

A New Zealand woman, who was thought to be travelling on an Irish passport, was also reported missing and has yet to be found. Another Irishman was injured in the bombings, suffering “flash burns” to his face and arms.

Willie John Walsh, 24, from Moycullen in Galway, underwent surgery for head and arm injuries. He had caught the train at Liverpool Street and was travelling to Aldgate to work when a bomb went off in the carriage he was in. Seven other people travelling in the carriage were killed.