Nice attack: Expats remain defiant in the face of terror
The city is popular with holidaymakers, but is also home to people from Ireland and the UK.
Thursday’s attack was the third to hit France in 18 months, and took place after security measures across the country had been increased.
But a number of expats living in the seaside resort said the latest atrocity, following those in November and January last year, has not made them think twice about living there.
Dubliner Barry Gallagher, who moved to Nice eight years ago, said many terrified revellers took refuge in his pub on Rue Saint-Francois de Paule, one street back from the promenade.
He had gone home after watching the fireworks but said the bar opened its doors to anyone who needed help.
He said: “The lads at the pub were letting people in for safety, half of them were young children with their families.”
The 40-year-old said that while it was a shocking tragedy he will not let it put him off living there. Speaking in Ma Nolan’s Irish bar, Mr Gallagher said: “It can happen anywhere, there is no point in living life like that. You would never go out again if that was the attitude.
“We have been used to having the army on the streets for a long time now.”
He said he is hopeful the attack does not cause racial tensions, after Islamic State claimed lorry driver Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was “a soldier” acting for them: “I hope it doesn’t lead to any rise in the far-right, he said.
“We have a great mixture of people who come to have a drink here — locals, tourists, all races and we have never had a problem with anyone.”
Barman Michael Robinson, who works at The Snug and Cellar on Rue Droite, said the city and people are hurt by what happened, but are very resilient. The 35-year-old, from Newcastle, England, said: “It’s a beautiful city in a beautiful country, with very friendly people. It’s just a shame that it’s been targeted.
“I haven’t once thought of leaving, even after what happened in Paris, I haven’t felt I wanted to get out of France at all.”
Meanwhile, U2 star Bono was reportedly caught up in the attack, where he was dining in a restaurant near the Promenade des Anglais.
According to the restaurant’s owner, the singer was on the terrace of La Petite Maison near the seafront on Thursday when the attack happened. Anne-Laure Rubi said Bono was with friends on the terrace in the upmarket restaurant. Customers took cover inside, before the premises were evacuated by the police. The restaurant was closed yesterday and no-one available for comment.
The day after the attack, U2 tweeted a photo of The Edge with the word “Coexist” spelled out using an Islamic crescent, Jewish star of David, and Christian cross, with the message “Love is bigger than anything in its way — Bono, Edge, Adam, Larry.”
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