Gardaí have released the names of the 10 people killed in an explosion at a petrol station in the Co Donegal village of Creeslough.
- James O’Flaherty (48)
- Jessica Gallagher (24)
- Martin McGill (49)
- Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan
- Hugh Kelly (59)
- Martina Martin (49)
- Robert Garwe (50) and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe
- Leona Harper (14)
A man in his 20s remains in a critical condition in St James’s Hospital in Dublin following Friday’s blast.
The seven other surviving casualties continue to receive treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital and remain in a stable conditio
Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the site of the explosion last night and said the entire nation is mourning following the tragedy.
Mr Martin spoke to members of the emergency services who worked for 24 hours to locate victims following the explosion.
Gardaí believe the explosion that ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjoining buildings was a “tragic accident”.
All of the 10 victims were from the wider Creeslough area.
A further eight people injured in the explosion remained in hospital yesterday.
Letterkenny Rugby Club said in a post on Facebook: “We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in Creeslough.
“Leona was a talented rugby player and an important part of our U14 girls team.
“To Leona’s parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support.
“There are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this.”
The search and recovery operation concluded yesterday afternoon without any further victims being found.
Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian: 'Creeslough living through a nightmare'
Speaking at Mass this morning Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian said the people of Creeslough are “living through a nightmare of shock and horror”.
Addressing the congregation during Sunday Mass at St Michael’s Church, the bishop said: “At this time, you the people of Creeslough are living through a nightmare of shock and horror since the very heart of the community was deeply wounded on Friday afternoon.
“It’s an experience that we are living through together. But we recognise that the trauma is different for every single individual. We hold in our hearts most especially those for whom this is most acute.
“We think firstly of the 10 who have lost their lives and gone to God, and then of those nearest to them who are most cruelly bereaved.
“And then we think of the injured, struggling to recover in body and spirit. We think of everyone, both from the community and the first responders in the public services who have carried the burden of being close to the tragedy as it has unfolded.
“And we remember everyone here in Creeslough, and indeed throughout Ireland and further, who feels helpless and shaken by what has happened.”
The Bishop of Raphoe continued: “Over the last couple of days as people gathered in groups to talk about what has happened here these last days, the one word that stands out for me in relation to the explosion is something somebody said.
“It is so random, they said. And what she was referring to was, anybody could have been caught up in that. There’s something deeply shocking and upsetting about what life throws up, can throw up.
“We ask why did it have to happen here, to this person, that person, why did they have to be there at that awful moment?
“The bereaved and the injured have to carry the awful insecurity of that question. Others of us could easily carry a certain sense of guilt.
“Why was it them and not me who was hit by the randomness of this tragedy? There is fundamentally a terrible realisation that we are not masters of our own destiny.
“We are very fragile, all of us, fragile and vulnerable.”
Taoiseach Michéal Martin: 'entire nation is mourning'
Speaking at the cordon around the blast site, Mr Martin said there was “deep sadness” in the village and a “terrible silence” reflecting the enormity of what has happened.
“The entire nation is mourning and deeply saddened,” he said.
“A young child in the shop and two teens, as well as men and women who were going about their lives as well.
“It is a very close-knit community and our heart goes out to them.”
The Taoiseach added: “Talking to those on the front line and everyone involved, they were very moved by the extraordinary support they got from the community here almost immediately.
“Many volunteers rushed to the scene to try and do everything they could to help because it was an horrific scene they came upon and we must always remember our emergency services.
“I want to thank them for helping those who were trapped and injured. We must do everything we can to support the community.
“Words on their own will not console someone who has lost a loved one and we have to be with them. We will be with them for quite some time.”
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Ireland’s main opposition party, also visited Creeslough on Saturday evening, as did Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
The political leaders later joined emergency service members and local residents for a service for the victims at a nearby church.
The major rescue and recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the border, and many volunteers from within the local community, extended through the night on Friday and into yesterday.
At a media conference in Milford, Co Donegal yesterday afternoon, Garda Superintendent David Kelly said: “At this point in time we have to keep an open mind in how we investigate this, but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.”
Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said the company was “utterly shocked and saddened” by the “tragic” incident in Creeslough.
Mr Barrett said: “Yesterday was a very dark day for Creeslough, for Donegal, for Ireland, and for all of us in the wider Applegreen family.
“This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough.”
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins expressed his shock at the “terrible tragedy”.
“This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond,” he said.
Prayers were said in the local church in Creeslough yesterday morning for all those suffering.
The congregation at St Michael’s Church heard there was a “tsunami” of grief in the community.
Fr John Joe Duffy said: “From our hearts, with all our hearts and with all our souls, we pray for those who have died, we pray for those who were injured, we pray for all who were involved.”
