Fears for families in Libya

MEMBERS of Clare’s Libyan community are living in fear awaiting news of the fate of their loved ones and their country.

The number of Libyan people living in Clare is small, with the majority based in Ennis and Shannon.
“Clare-based Libyans are terribly worried about their families and friends and many felt this day was inevitable and that it would come. They are hoping the path to freedom for their people is not littered by too many casualties,” said Orla Ní Éilí from the Clare Immigrant Support Centre.
Earlier in the week, the brother of a General Election candidate running in Dublin South was killed in anti-government protests in Libya. Buhidma Hussein Hamed confirmed the death of his stepbrother, who was shot dead by security forces in the country at the weekend.
Reports indicate that hundreds of people may have been killed in attempts by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces to crush protests challenging his nearly 42-year rule.