In the aftermath of the shocking Sydney stabbings which lead to six fatalities, a County Down woman, Leanne Devine, who owns a hair salon close to the scene, kept her business open to offer shelter to those running in fear. Speaking to ABC News, she explained that her staff had been preparing to finish for the day when they witnessed “hundreds and hundreds of people running out of Westfield”, adding that customers had been running into the salon “traumatised” and “shouting and screaming” due to conflicting reports about the severity of the attack, including rumours of gunshots.
Ms Devine said their establishment provided comfort and hospitality to many of those who had been affected by the events. She offered relief and emotional support to those fleeing, including an elderly woman who was so physically shaken up that she was forced to remain at the salon over several hours, endeavouring to recover from the ordeal of the attack. Other patrons of the salon were stranded due to a lockdown of the car park during the security operation, and chose to take refuge. Ms Devine outlined that medical professionals were present on the premises, on multiple occasions in urgent situations induced by the extreme circumstances they witnessed.
The attacker, who Queensland Police claim had been hospitalised after being first diagnosed with a mental illness at 17, was shot dead by a lone police officer. Ms Devine’s thoughts were with all the victims of the brutal attack. “I just feel so sorry for everybody who was in Westfield,” she said. “I feel sorry for the families of the five woman and one man who were killed and what their families have to go through now.” The compassionate business owner’s actions demonstrated humanity and selflessness under the most tense and horrific circumstances
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