Tunisia attack: Larry and Martina were very popular figures in home town

Laurence and Martina Hayes, the couple killed in Friday’s terror attack in Tunisia, had put down roots in the very heart of Athlone.

The pair, who were in their 50s, had originally lived on the outskirts of the town, near Moydrum, but had recently moved into West Lodge, an estate in Athlone on the western side of the Shannon.

Laurence, known as Larry or Lonnie to his friends, and Martina took great pride in their new home. Shortly before their holiday to Tunisia, where they died in a terrorist attack, the couple had completed a refurbishment of their house.

Their neighbours said they had also painted the exterior of the house so it would “be ready for summer”. Martina, whose maiden name was Kelly, came from a farming family in Kiltoom, Co Roscommon, a short drive from Athlone.

Martina and her husband had one child — Sinead, 30.

Laurence, who was described as a kind-hearted and good-humoured man, worked with Bus Éireann as an inspector in Athlone.

A spokeswoman said the company was aware of reports of the couple’s death. “The company wish to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Larry Hayes and his wife Martina,” she said.

The spokeswoman said Mr Hayes was “highly regarded on both a personal and professional level, by all his colleagues at Bus Éireann”.

She added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the couple’s daughter at this difficult time, and all the extended family.”

He is survived by his sister Della and brothers Michael and Seamus, who is known locally as an accomplished footballer. Seamus, together with his wife Dympna, were also the owners of the Music World store in the town.

Since news broke of Laurence and Martina’s death, the community in Athlone and south Roscommon has rallied. Canon Liam Devine, parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul in Athlone, said he was speaking to Martina’s sister, Evelyn Watson, at mass yesterday.

“She’s absolutely devastated, as you can imagine,” he said. “The whole parish is. They’re a deeply religious family.

“I know Laurence’s brother Seamus, he ran a music business in town. Laurence, or Lonny as he was known, was an extremely popular person, extremely kind and good- humoured. It’s a tragedy.”

Chairman of Westmeath County Council, Paddy Hill, extended his sympathy to those affected by this “terrible tragedy” and said: “No words could adequately describe what the families must be going through.”