Books of Condolence open for Paris victims

The books will be opened at the Old Town Hall and the Civic Building as well as other council buildings throughout the area.

Up to 132 people are now known to have died in Friday’s terror attacks in the French capital.

The attacks, claimed by Islamic State militants, hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars. Gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took hostages before security forces stormed the hall, people were also shot dead at restaurants and bars at five other sites in Paris with at least 180 people injured.

Others were killed at the Stade de France, where President Hollande and 80,000 other spectators were watching a friendly international between France and Germany.

Local councillor, Glenn Barr said there was no room in society for radicalisation and described the killings as ‘barbaric’ and ‘unnecessary.’

“These people carrying out the killings are not doing so on behalf of Islam any more than the IRA carried out killings on behalf of Republicanism,” he said.

“There is no room in our society for these sort of barbaric killings. We need to work together and stand against these radicals.”

He called on the Arab Nations to also work together to find a solution.

He said, “We need to take the proper steps so this is not allowed to happen again. We should not allow these radicals and their actions to rule our lives.

“We live in a free democratic society. The killings were an attack on our freedom. It was an attack on our democracy that allows us to go to the cinema, that allows us to go to restaurants and football stadiums.”

Lord Mayor Causby described the killing as ‘terrible.’

Mr Causby said, “I know that our residents will want to send their support to the people of France at this tragic time in their history so we’re opening books of condolence in some of our facilities. It’s impossible to put into words the tragic events of Friday night in Paris.

“No right minded person or people will be able to understand why they have imposed this on the people of France. But that doesn’t mean to say that we cannot condemn it or send messages of support to all of those who have suffered. I hope that many residents across the borough will join me in signing these books.”

MLA Brenda Hale called the scenes from Paris as ‘truly devastating.’

“My thoughts and prayers must go to all those caught up in the atrocity, not forgetting those whose task it is to heal the wounded and hunt down the perpetrators,” she said.

“It is vitally important that the UK and our allies make security a top priority and in doing so, protect those who protect us.”