分类： society

Ten years after the devastating Paris terror attacks, Salim Toorabally, a security agent at Stade de France, continues to grapple with the psychological scars of that fateful night. On November 13, 2015, coordinated attacks across Paris claimed 132 lives and injured over 400. At the national stadium, Toorabally’s vigilance prevented a catastrophic loss of life by stopping Bilal Hadfi, one of the three suicide bombers, from entering the venue. Despite being hailed as a hero by then-President François Hollande and the public, Toorabally’s own suffering has remained largely unaddressed.

Toorabally, stationed at Gate L, recounted how he intercepted Hadfi, who attempted to tailgate another fan. Suspicious of Hadfi’s behavior, Toorabally alerted his colleagues, ensuring the bomber was denied entry. Hadfi later detonated his explosive vest outside the stadium, causing one death and injuring 14. Toorabally vividly remembers the explosions, the smell of burning, and the chaos that followed. He also tended to a wounded man, an experience that left him with haunting memories of blood and human flesh on his hands.

Despite his heroism, Toorabally received no immediate psychological support, leading to severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He has since sought therapy, but the traumatic images of that night, including the graphic aftermath of Hadfi’s death, remain etched in his mind. Toorabally’s story underscores the long-term impact of terrorism on survivors and first responders, even as they are celebrated for their bravery.

As France commemorates the 10th anniversary of the attacks, Toorabally’s presence at a recent World Cup qualifier in Paris was a poignant reminder of the night that changed his life forever. His courage averted a potential disaster, but the emotional toll continues to weigh heavily on him. Former President Hollande and French footballer Blaise Matuidi have praised Toorabally’s actions, acknowledging the unimaginable tragedy he prevented. Yet, for Toorabally, the battle with his own trauma remains far from over.

In a significant development for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, Bishop Niall Coll has been appointed as the new Bishop of Raphoe, his native diocese. This marks the first Irish appointment by Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025. The announcement was made at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, County Donegal, following Mass on Thursday. The diocese had been without a bishop since February 2024, when Bishop Alan McGuckian was appointed to Down and Connor. Bishop Coll, 62, a native of Saint Johnston in east Donegal, returns to the northwest after serving as Bishop of Ossory since January 2023. Ordained a priest in 1988, Bishop Coll has a rich academic and pastoral background, including studies in Maynooth, Rome, and Trinity College Dublin, and roles as a chaplain, teacher, and parish priest. His appointment underscores the Church’s commitment to leadership continuity and local roots.

The British government announced on Thursday that the National COVID Memorial Wall in London, a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic, will be preserved permanently. Located on the Albert Embankment along the River Thames, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, the 8-foot-high Portland stone wall commemorates the approximately 240,000 COVID-related deaths in the UK and honors the sacrifices of key workers, particularly in health and care sectors. Established in March 2021 by the groups COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice and Led by Donkeys, the wall features over half a kilometer of hand-painted hearts, each representing a life lost. Volunteers, known as The Friends of the Wall, maintain the memorial, refreshing the artwork weekly with durable masonry paints. Culture Minister Fiona Twycross described the wall as a ‘powerful reminder of the pandemic’s toll,’ emphasizing the importance of remembering those who died. The government also pledged to continue an annual day of reflection in March and support the creation of additional memorial spaces nationwide. The UK, which experienced one of Europe’s deadliest COVID outbreaks, has faced criticism for its pandemic response, particularly the delayed lockdown in March 2020. However, its vaccine rollout has been widely praised. A national inquiry into the handling of the pandemic, launched two years ago, is ongoing and expected to conclude in 2027.

A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, when a fisherman in his 40s lost his life after falling overboard. The event occurred at approximately 13:25 local time near Arranmore on Tuesday. Despite being airlifted to Sligo University Hospital by the Garda (Irish Police), the man was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, the deceased was not originally from Ireland but had been a long-term resident of Greencastle, Inishowen. A spokesperson from the Department of Transport revealed that the Coast Guard marine rescue coordination centre in Malin swiftly responded to a mayday call from the vessel. The crew of the fishing vessel managed to recover the man from the water. In the aftermath, a technical examination of the vessel has been conducted, and both the Marine Casualty Investigation Board and the Health and Safety Authority have been notified to investigate the incident further.