Simon Harris pays tribute to Creeslough victims on second anniversary

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Creeslough explosion was “one of the darkest days” in the history of the country, the Taoiseach has said.

On the second anniversary of the blast, Simon Harris paid tribute to the 10 people who were killed in the Co Donegal village.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice has said she will meet with affected families and that a Garda file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is near completion.

Gardaí continue to investigate the circumstances of the explosion that ripped through the village’s Applegreen service station and a nearby apartment block on the afternoon of Friday, October 7th, 2022.

Four men, three women and three children, ranging in age from five to 59, died in the blast.

While the cause of the explosion has yet to be formally confirmed by the authorities, it is understood a gas leak is considered a central line of inquiry.

Those who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; fashion student Jessica Gallagher; Celtic fan Martin McGill; Sydney native James O’Flaherty; shop worker Martina Martin; carpenter Hugh “Hughie” Kelly; and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Harris said: “My thoughts are with the Creeslough community today, particularly those who were injured in the devastating explosion and the families and friends of the 10 people who lost their lives.

“The people of Donegal and indeed the entire country will never forget the shock and sadness that emerged on what can only be described as one of the darkest days for our country.

“We also remember the rescue workers responding that day and in the aftermath and the whole community coming together to support each other.

“The second anniversary today serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.”

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she will meet with the families affected by the tragedy, although a date has yet to be set.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, she said: “I’m very conscious that it is two years and I’m very conscious that there is still a Garda investigation underway – so it’s really important that that can be allowed to continue and to be completed.”

Ms McEntee said a file will be sent to the DPP “in the very near future”.

There are also separate investigations underway through the energy regulator and the Health and Safety Authority.

The minister added: “These families deserve to be listened to. They deserve to be heard, and above all, they deserve to get the answers to really important questions: What happened? How could this have happened to their families? How can we make sure that it never happens again and that nobody has to go through what they’re going through?”

Several families who lost loved ones in the explosion have called on the Government to set up a public inquiry into the tragedy.