PEOPLE from West Cork caught up in the Middle East conflict have told of the devastating impact with one family evacuating in the wake of a drone attack.

BY SALLY COLLINS, MATTHEW HURLEY, KIERAN O’MAHONY

Finbarr O’Leary, from Macroom, based in Bahrain since 1999, told The Southern Star that he and his wife, Juan and son William left their apartment in Manama last weekend after she witnessed a drone attack on the building opposite, just 160m away.

‘We couldn’t have been any closer to the drones. They sound like a boy racer with a kind of cut-off exhaust in their car. You can hear them coming from a kilometre away or so,’ said Finbarr.

They had their bags packed after receiving warnings earlier and evacuated the building as they feared their apartment block would be next.

While outside they watched the burning buildings and watched drones encircle Manama’s skyscrapers.

‘One went right over our heads. William and I were looking up at it and you could actually see the writing on it, it was that near to us.’

He believed their building would be targeted next as the Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Bahrain lives on the 50th floor. He said he entered ‘auto mode’ during the evacuation, while Juan was more panicked as she had actually seen the drone going into the building.

They are now staying in the suburbs, while William’s classes have all been moved online and Finbarr is keeping his eye on the news and waiting for updates.

Aoife Quinn from Skibbereen, who is living in Dubai said last Saturday was the only day that they heard a lot of commotion.

‘If felt like big bangs pretty just much from midday all into the evening. People didn’t know what was happening but the following day we were able to go about our daily routines,’ said Aoife.

‘Nobody really is panicking and people are just getting on with their lives. I don’t think it’s as bad bar the fact that the airspace is closed but things could change too.’

Newcestown’s Shane Scanlon, who teaches in Scoil Eoin in Innishannon, had been in Dubai referring for the Middle East GAA hurling Championships last weekend and was due to fly home on Monday.

‘That flight was obviously cancelled on Sunday and two other lads and I have been sticking to ourselves in our hotel. All flights to and from Dubai are cancelled which leaves us with a bit of uncertainty and we are not sure what’s going to happen,’ said Shane, who added they hope to fly home on Thursday.

Alastair Harte from Skibbereen, who has been back and forth to Dubai in recent months and owner of the Body Image gym in Clonakilty, is currently living in Dubai Marina.

‘There is a lot of fear being purporting from here but things are fine and people are going about their business. I was at the beach on Sunday, shops are open but the roads are slightly quieter alight,’ he said.

Alastair’s video of shrapnel from a shot down drone on Instagram went viral with over 3.6m views and he later spoke on a New Zealand radio station about what he filmed.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Government is organising charter flight to bring home almost 280 people from Oman in the coming days. Emirates were also expected to fly from Dubai to Dublin on Wednesday evening also to cater for those who had their flights cancelled last weekend.