Sound of missiles ‘completely alien’ for Rosemount native

A Rosemount native, now living in Dubai for over 18 months, has described hearing the sound of missiles in the Middle East sky as "alien" and "surreal".

Andy McCormack and his partner, Moate native Isobel O'Neill, remain apartment bound as Iran continue retaliation strikes on US bases in Dubai following the death of the country's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khameni was killed after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran.

Speaking from his apartment in the Dubai Marina on Monday evening, Andy said both he and Isobel remain "understandably anxious" as the situation unfolds, but added that the United Arab Emirates Government have been keeping residents updated on all conflict developments in the Gulf state.

"We are continuously being told that we live in the safest city in the world, so to see and hear the sound of missiles in the sky is completely alien to natives and ex-pats," Andy said.

Andy said he and Isobel heard on Saturday morning that the US had bombed Iran but said he was "unaware of the potential implications" such attacks would have in Dubai.

"We were relying on our social media feeds for up to date news and heard that US bases in Abu Dhabi (approximately one hour from Dubai) had been attacked," Andy added.

It was only when he was travelling with Isobel in a taxi on Saturday evening that the stark reality of what was unfolding in the Gulf state came to pass when they both heard a "loud boom" in the atmosphere.

"The sound was extremely loud, but you didn't want to think it was a missile or that you were coming under attack," Andy said.

While no missiles have impacted in the immediate vicinity of Andy and Isobel's high rise apartment block in the Marina, the former Westmeath senior footballer said "they are continuously being intercepted" by UAE air defence forces.

"Thankfully, the missiles are being intercepted and not causing casualties. However, the fall out from the debris is noticeable all around and has started to become a safety issue in the city," Andy added.

Andy, who works with global sports analytics brand Nielsen Sports, said the Government is currently "on top of the evolving situation".

He said that both he and Isobel receive alerts on their phone in advance of missile attacks.

"We also receive updates on the number of missiles entering Dubai airspace which have been intercepted, so we are being kept aware of the situation on a continuous basis," Andy added.

Andy and Isobel have been encouraged to register with the Irish Embassy in Dubai "in case an emergency evacuation is needed".

"It's all so uncertain at the moment, but we are staying as strong as possible for each other. Isobel has safety packages prepared and a suitcase packed in case we need to relocate at short notice," Andy continued.

Living in such a high rise apartment block, Andy said there is always that "element of concern" that the building might be struck.

"Thankfully, as with many of the hotels here in Dubai, there is an expansive car park basement beneath our apartment building and should the need arise we can relocate here for safety. Hopefully, this won't be the case," Andy said.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent at 7pm local time on Monday (Dubai is four hours ahead of Ireland), Andy said an "eight-hour period" had elapsed since he last heard a missile.

"We have been informed by the authorities to work from home and stay indoors for as long as missile activity remains. However, we have taken brisk walks and life seems to be going on in some of the local hotels and restaurants.

"It's obvious not ideal. What is happening is so surreal. You never think that you would find yourself in this situation. We are in limbo for now, but we have each other, and hopefully this will soon play out and calm restored to the city," Andy concluded.