Love will prevail following Manchester terror attack

Mayo native says communities will work together

Anton McNulty

Love and not hate will prevail following last week’s Manchester terror attack, according to a leading member of the Mayo community in the city.
Twenty-two people were killed and scores more injured in last Monday night’s terror attack on the Manchester Arena. The attack took place following an Arianna Grande concert. Many of the victims were children, with the youngest victim confirmed as an eight-year-old girl.
Tony Hennigan told The Mayo News that the city was numb following the attack but he insisted that the residents of the city will come together to ensure hate does not prevail.
“We are all in a state of shock and we all know someone who knew someone who was there or injured in it. It affected us all quite deeply,” he explained.
“The only good thing is it has brought people together to stand up to the terrorists and the only way forward is not to hate. We will work together across all the communities and can’t blame one section of the community just because of these people.
“We faced it ourselves in the past. We have to work together and carry on the best we can. We can’t let them win. Only love and not hate can prevail,” he said.
The son of a couple  from Attymas, Tony has been to the forefront in promoting links between Mayo and Manchester and organises the annual Mayo Manchester Tradfest which takes place in Mayo every August. He expressed thanks for all the messages of goodwill and support that came from Mayo in the aftermath of the attack.

Solidarity
The Europa League final between Manchester United and Ajax took place just two days after the attack. Tony said it was an example of the solidarity in the city.
“They did it for Manchester,” he said of Manchester United’s victory in the final. “I am a City fan while my brother is a United fan and normally there is a lot of banter between the two clubs. For that game, it wasn’t just Manchester United fans cheering them on, the city was united and there was an outpouring of love for Manchester.”
Based in south Manchester, Tony lives just half a mile from the home of Salman Abedi, the 22 year old who carried out the suicide attack on the Manchester Arena. When asked how it felt to live so close to the suicide bomber, he said ‘how can you feel?, but added that the Muslim community should not all be associated with the extremists.
Tony believes that the city will soon get back to normal and he has no fears of living in the city after the attacks.
“I still feel safe now and believe that Manchester and the UK is still one of the safest places in the world. Thousands attended the Courteeners concert at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground and the Great Manchester Run went ahead last weekend. You have to keep going on with your life,” he said.