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A MAN WHO claimed to have survived the 2015 massacre at the Bataclan theatre in Paris, describing his brush with death in vivid detail although he was nowhere near the scene, was sentenced to six months in jail today.
The court in Versailles, south of Paris, sentenced Cedric Rey, 29, to two years in jail with 18 months suspended for attempted fraud against a state fund for the victims of terrorism.
Rey’s account of the 13 November 2015 attack was used by several French media, including AFP.
The ambulance driver claimed he was having a drink with two friends outside the Bataclan when three Islamic State jihadists stormed the venue during a concert, launching a three-hour bomb and gun attack that left 90 people dead.
Rey claimed that one of the gunmen aimed his rifle at him and fired but that a pregnant woman, who was walking past “took the bullets meant for me”.
After the attack he sought compensation from the government fund for the victims of terrorism but his application was turned down after he failed to supply documents proving his claim.
He also joined the Life for Paris survivors’ group and, like several of those who escaped death, got a tattoo commemorating the attack, in his case of Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, with the Bataclan in the background.
At least seven people have been found guilty of fraud or attempted fraud over the Paris attacks, which also targeted the Stade de France stadium and several bars and restaurants in eastern Paris, killing 230 people in total.
Discrepancies in his story
Police became suspicious about Rey’s story after noting several discrepancies, including the fact that no pregnant woman was killed in the Bataclan assault.
They then traced his whereabouts that night using his mobile phone data and discovered he was about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Bataclan when the attack began and showed up outside the theatre around midnight, after it had ended.
Rey, who now lives in the French territory of New Caledonia in the South Pacific, has admitted to fabricating the story.
During a return visit to mainland France in October he handed himself in to police.
He was remanded in custody pending his trial and ordered to undergo psychological tests.
Rey’s lawyer earlier refused to comment on the case and said his client no longer wanted to speak to the media.
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Hooping for a bright future.
@Big Beats: fantastic news,we have tons of potential…now with these premier standard facilities….no reason why basketball shouldn’t be massive in Ireland
That’s the equivalent of 113 Bike Shelters
What a waste. They need to pump that money into grass-roots football and make Ireland competitive again. Who the hell plays basketball, waste.
@Basildon Joe: brilliant idea, let’s continue funding the largesse, wastage& incompetence in the FAI to the detriment of other sports that we may ( hopefully) thrive & succeed at
@Buster Lawless: now delaney is gone surely they can progress and not squander the funding, in my honest opinion buster.
@Basildon Joe: the Fai was given €30 million in 2020. That’s €8 million less than this project. Look at what that €38 million is being used for. 4 sports will get to use the building/facility which are all Olympic sports as squash is starting in 2028. Where has the €30 million gone. Since the Fai were given that money Ireland has had their worst run internationally is living memory. What facilities have the Fai used to make grassroots better since given that money. Should we just give them another €30 million. Never heard of coaches going into schools. Havnt seen any pitches being built. Clubhouses or changing rooms being built. National lottery won’t give them money cause it will just disappear. The Fai needs to make a little effort around the country before they get another penny.
@Basildon Joe: 200 clubs and 30000 players, so no, not a waste of money. Unlike the finacial sinkhole that domestic football is in Ireland…
@Sea Point: yeah but come on its pretty much a national sport for Ireland behind GAa. I just want to see Ireland improve as they are shocking right now and need all the help they can get.
@Basildon Joe: they got €30 million help 4 years ago. Government can’t keep throwing money at the Fai with zero return. No facilities, pitch upgrades. Nothing.
@Orban Orban: it makes me sick, and the kids suffer now watching that dire rubbish.
Sure they had to jump through a few hoops to net that permission
No basketball court in my town. There would be nothing wrong with spreading the wealth a little to encourage more communities across the country to take up the sport, or even a place a few teenagers could hang out, shoot a few hoops.
@Aidan Conlon: You should contact your local coco. SDCC have put up quite a few over the years.
Waste of money, we’re not a basketball country and never will be.
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: Well, seeing as we are s**te at football, we may as well try funding something else. Worked out fairly well for rugby.
How about pumping this kind of money into grass roots football instead of squandering money on a minority American sport!?
@Tezmond McVicar: my point exactly Tez. Disgusting waste of money on this toilet.
So they can perfect their, ahem, gaelic fooballing (haha) skills.
@offside again: ah kevvy, take a breather, a day off …. Go away down beach with dogs, juvenile trolling ISN’T the he all & end all
@Buster Lawless: take your own advice and stop stalking whilst you’re at it.
@offside again: kevvy, you probably know this with your weirdo stalking but I go down strand 1st thing every morning with the best doggies in Ireland…. lately cause of your delusional ramblings I DO make sure I have phone with me though
@Buster Lawless: Kevin Kerr is the Zodiac Killer
@Vince Cable: baby reindeer, lol
@Buster Lawless : you actually get up in the morning ? Ok fair enough. It’s good of the dogs to bring you for a walk I suppose.
I hope you pick up their poo after them.
Any hence they will sort out the entrance ??
Great facilities in Dublin to be fair …….
have your say