Minister for Foreign Affairs confirms three Irish dead in Tunisia terror attack

The number of Irish victims of the Tunisia attack has been officially confirmed as three.

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said an Irish couple missing since Friday’s massacre are among the dead.

An Irish mother-of-two, Lorna Carty, from Robinstown, Co Meath, had

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The couple, named locally as Laurence and Martina Hayes, both aged in their 50s, from Athlone, Co Westmeath, were holidaying in the resort.

Mr Flanagan said: “I can sadly state that two additional Irish citizens have lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Sousse in Tunisia.

“I want to offer condolences to the families and indeed those names that have been reported in the media I expect those names to be confirmed in the course of the afternoon.”

The Minister said he was not aware of concerns about any other Irish citizens.

In an interview with RTÉ Radio One, he added: “I myself have been in contact with family members of the citizens who I understand and believe have lost their lives. It is a particularly sad and difficult time for the families.”

Mr Flanagan urged anyone from Ireland intending to travel to Tunisia to exercise “extreme caution”.

Bus Éireann later issued a statement on the reports of the Irish couple's death.

"Bus Éireann understand - from media reports - that one of our school transport inspectors and his wife may have died in the terrorist attack in Sousse, Tunisia," the statement read.

"The company wish to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Larry Hayes and his wife Martina.

"Mr Hayes is a Bus Éireann Schools Transport inspector, who has worked for 20 years with the company, based in Athlone. He began his career at the company working as a bus driver in Galway.

"Larry is highly regarded on both a personal and professional level, by all his colleagues at Bus Éireann.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the couple's daughter at this difficult time, and all the extended family."