Northern Ireland

President praises courage of Creeslough victims' classmates on visit to Donegal

President Michael D. Higgins, pictured with Mulroy College principal, Fiona Temple, was given a guard of honour by friends and classmates of Creeslough tragedy victims, James Monaghan and Leona Harper, when he visited the school on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson
President Michael D. Higgins, pictured with Mulroy College principal, Fiona Temple, was given a guard of honour by friends and classmates of Creeslough tragedy victims, James Monaghan and Leona Harper, when he visited the school on Friday. Photo Clive Was President Michael D. Higgins, pictured with Mulroy College principal, Fiona Temple, was given a guard of honour by friends and classmates of Creeslough tragedy victims, James Monaghan and Leona Harper, when he visited the school on Friday. Photo Clive Wasson

President Michael D Higgins has praised the resilience and courage of classmates of Creeslough tragedy victims, Leona Harper and James Monaghan.

The president made his comments during a visit to the victims’ school, Mulroy College, on Friday.

The Co Donegal teenagers were among ten people who died in the suspected gas explosion at an Applegreen shop and apartment complex in October.

President Higgins paid tribute to the school community which also included victims, Catherine O’Donnell and Martina Martin, who have children at the school.

He also expressed his support for pupils at the school who survived the tragedy.

He said: “May I pay tribute to each and every one of you for the tenacity, the courage, the determination, the resilience, the resolve and the strength that each of you have shown over the past few months.

“Events like this change us all in different ways. For some of us here today, the tragedy has changes the paths of your lives in a very real and tangible way. For others, the changes may be more subtle but nonetheless profound. However, all of you are unified in your strength and togetherness, the resilience that you have shown and the sense of community that has been so evident.”

Speaking in Irish and English, the president singled out a number of people for praise, including Mulroy College principal, Fiona Temple and Creeslough parish priest.

“And may I also pay tribute to Creeslough parish priest, Fr John Joe Duffy for his generosity and humanity in the aftermath of the tragedy as he attended to victims’ families and the injured,” he said.

After leaving Donegal, President Higgins visited Derry’s Northland Addiction Treatment Centre. He wished the centre every success for the future, given the impact of its work and its success.

“The Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre has provided very important supports to people from the Derry community and beyond for over 40 years,” he said.

The president completed his visit to the north west by attending Friday’s final of the President’s Cup between Derry City FC and Shamrock Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium.