Mayors unite to pass on '˜heartfelt sympathies' for November French terror attacks

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Billy Ashe (fourth from left) who has joined forces with other civic leaders to hand-over Books of Condolence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris last November.
The French Honorary Consul, Regine McCullough (third from left) received the Books. (Submited Picture). — Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Billy Ashe (fourth from left) who has joined forces with other civic leaders to hand-over Books of Condolence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris last November. The French Honorary Consul, Regine McCullough (third from left) received the Books. (Submited Picture).

The French Honorary Consul, Regine McCullough received the Books, formally recording the numerous expressions of sympathy from local citizens, during a meeting organised by Councillor Ashe, in his Parlour at Carrickfergus Town Hall.

Cllr Ashe said: “When the people of Mid and East Antrim Borough signed the Books of Condolence across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne, we offered our collective, heartfelt sympathies to those bereaved and injured due to the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday 13 November.

“I was able to pass these on to the French Honorary Consul today, on behalf of everyone in the Borough.”

On receiving the Books of Condolence, Regine McCullough said she was “very humbled by this incredible reaction of grief and sadness felt and expressed by so many people all over Northern Ireland and in all the Boroughs represented here today in particular”.

She added: “I wish to thank each and every person who took the time to write their words of support to the relatives of the victims of the Paris attacks and to the people of France in general. Merci beaucoup.”

Mayors who took part in the meeting included - Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Mayor Councillor Thomas Hogg; Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham; Causeway Coast and Glens Council Mayor, Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan; and Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Thomas Beckett.