A bell tolled ten times to mark the moment exactly one year ago that ten people lost their lives in the Creeslough tragedy.
The families of the deceased were joined by the injured, the first responders and the people of Creeslough at the site of the suspected gas explosion at an Applegreen shopping and apartment complex on Saturday.
A bell was placed before the hoarding which now surrounds the remains of the complex for an interdenominational service marking the first anniversary of the disaster.
The service was led by Creeslough priest, Fr John Joe Duffy who has become a spokesman for the grieving town.
He was joined by other clergy, including Church of Ireland bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rev Andrew Forster. Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian was unable to attend as he is attending the Catholic church synod in Rome. However, a message was read on his behalf. Messages were also sent by President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.
Political leaders who attended included Irish Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue, Sinn Féin TDs, Pearse Doherty and Padraig Mac Lochlainn and Fine Gael deputy, Joe McHugh.
Many of the local people who were first to respond in the moments after the explosion were present as well as the Gardaí, Ambulance crews and paramedics and fire officers from both sides of the border to rushed to the scene.
Fr John Joe told them, “You were truly Christ’s hands” in the seconds, minutes and hours after the disaster.
Family groups hugged each other as Fr John Joe read the names of Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her son, James Monaghan (13), Martin McGill (49), Jessica Gallagher (24), James O’Flaherty (48), Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter, Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (15).
Fr John Joe thanked all who attended the commemoration service.
He said: “This day last year will be forever etched in our memories with all its pain, devastation. The memories of those who died will be forever held in our hearts. We will always hold them, their preciousness in a special place in our hearts.
“Their beautiful souls in heaven will give us comfort and consolation exactly at those times, in those places when our hearts seem to be at their lowest. When our hearts seem to be breaking and can take no more, the warmth of your presence will enter in and will bring soothing, will bring tenderness and will bring hope.”
A poem composed by the pupils for Glassan National School was read and prayers were also led by Fr Philip Baxter, who administered to many of the dying in the moments after the explosion.
Then, in a moment of utter poignancy, and as the sun broke through the grey skies for the first time, a bell was tolled ten times, one for each of the victims. Fr Duffy said the bell would be kept in memory of the victims at St Michael’s church.
The commemoration concluded with the playing of 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' as a lament for the dead.
Read more:
- Creeslough tragedy: Appeal to Irish people around the world to help mark first anniversary
- Song in memory of Creeslough tragedy victim released for first anniversary
Following the service, Fr John Joe spoke to the huge media presence. He said Saturday was a “day of great sadness” and that the last year has been a difficult journey, one of mourning and healing.
“The journey of recovery will continue for all of us for a long time to come,” he said.
The commemoration service was followed by a first anniversary Mass at St Michael’s church on Saturday evening.
