Terror victims honouredas Books of Condolenceare placed on display

Cumbernauld couple Jim and Ann McQuire tragically lost their lives in the attack on tourists in the resort city of Sousse.

The books have been placed at the council office in Bron Way, Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Motherwell to allow members of the public to record their personal messages.

The local aspect to the tragedy has inevitably deeply affected everyone in Cumbernauld, but its impact has been felt far beyond the town boundaries.

This is particularly the case because the couple concerned were people who spent so much of their own time helping others.

As reported in last issue Jim was an elder at Abronhill Parish Church as well as an enthusiastic BB leader, while Ann had been a captain in the Girls’ Brigade.

They had started to enjoy their retirement and were caught up in the Tunisian horror by a cruel streak of fate after booking a late break holiday in Sousse.

Provost Jim Robertson said: “Flags on council buildings have flown at half-mast as a mark of respect since the scale of the tragedy and the impact on the area became clear.

“Mr and Mrs McQuire made a huge contribution to their community through their work with young people and I feel it only right residents have the opportunity to record their tributes.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and all those touched by this terrible event.”

While most people will focus particularly on Mr and Mrs McQuire – not least because so many knew them personally – the books of condolence are clearly aimed at all of the victims of the atrocity.

They give the many people across North Lanarkshire who wish to express solidarity with the families who have been left bereaved a way of showing their support.