Irish couple who survived Bataclan massacre reveal they are expecting their first baby a year after terror horror
Katie Healy and David Nolan had whispered goodbye to eachother as terrorists stormed the Bataclan theatre and began shooting victims
AN Irish couple are preparing to welcome their first child into the world one year after miraculously surviving the horror of the Paris terror attacks.
Katie Healy and David Nolan, from Cork, had whispered their final goodbyes to eachother when terrorists stormed the Bataclan theatre where they were enjoying a performance of the Eagles of Death Metal on November 13.
Having visited the concert hall as part of a romantic trip to Paris the pair were left shocked when their dream trip turned into a horror story.
But on the first anniversary of the terrorist attack the happy couple are now looking forward to starting their family.
Katie said: "We are so happy to have a baby on the way. But we’re painfully aware that while we prepare to welcome a new life, a lot of families are visiting graves.
“We think of those lost at the Bataclan every day and the sorrow can be overwhelming. But we can’t keep looking back when there’s something so new in front of us.
“We re-evaluated our lives after Paris. Wanting to bring something pure into the world felt very natural.
“We won’t let the horror that touched our lives in anyway impact our child’s future. Protecting your child is instinctive. We can’t allow fear to dominate our future.”
The attack happened on the couple's first night in the city and miraculously they managed to escape unharmed.
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Katie added: “We had our backs to the door and were beaming as we danced.
“Then I felt a push and something wet hit my shoulder. Then a flash of light.
“A snap of gunshot. And I fell to the floor, hitting my head. Then more bullets – many more. Almost immediately I knew it was ISIS. People were saying ‘firecrackers’ but the smell of gunpowder was fireworks times one thousand.
“The taste of blood was like a mouthful of copper. A man who had been standing in front of me was definitely dead. The lady with him was gone too. And I felt indescribable cold fear.
“I saw a man close to me choke to death on his blood. I tried to keep looking at him so the last thing he saw wasn’t a gunman.
During the onslaught David used his own body as a shield to protect Katie as bullets rained down and innocence victims were shot dead.
David, a chartered surveyor, added: “When you love someone, your instinct is to protect them. I felt sure I would be shot but just hoped the bullet would go through me and not Katie. I did what anyone would.
"I want to wrap Katie in cotton wool and layers of bubble wrap. And I worry about what kind of world is ahead for our baby. But whatever happens, all we can do is look after our own little world."
After escaping the horror the couple fled onto the streets but drivers would not stop and emergency services were not getting through.
The couple managed to seek shelter in an apartment block and were taken to hospital for checks.
David had to undergo five operations and spent three months in a wheelchair following the attack. He won’t be able to play sport like he used to and probably faces more surgery.
He said: "I try never to complain because I saw people suffer so much worse. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Katie and people who helped me. We saw the worst of humanity and the best of people in the same night."
Katie added: ";I have no anger. Just sadness for those lost.
"People beside us, smiling and dancing near us, all died. I’m even sad for the terrorists. Whatever they tried to do, it didn’t work. Love always wins. David and I have said it so many times it’s become our motto."
Three weeks ago, Life For Paris – set up by survivors – organised a private trip to the Bataclan which the couple said brought them comfort.
Katie added: "Thoughts of the Bataclan are rarely far away. I’ve had screaming in my ears since that night. But I appreciate I am extremely lucky – especially with a longed-for baby on the way.
"Although I will forever think of the people who did not escape, I will also focus on hope for a future full of family love.
"Because in this scary world that’s all that really matters."
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