Ireland

Books of condolence opening across Ireland for Creeslough victims

Councillor Tina Black, opening a book of condolence at City Hall for the victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have been confirmed dead. Picture by Belfast City Council/PA Wire
Councillor Tina Black, opening a book of condolence at City Hall for the victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have been confirmed dead. Picture by Belfast City Council/PA Wire Councillor Tina Black, opening a book of condolence at City Hall for the victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have been confirmed dead. Picture by Belfast City Council/PA Wire

Books of condolence are being opened across Ireland for the victims of the Creeslough tragedy.

People will be able to pay tribute to the 10 people who lost their lives in an explosion in the small village at locations across Donegal, including at St Michael’s Church and Creeslough Day Centre.

Books have also been opened at Donegal county council offices from 9am-4.30pm at Lifford, Letterkenny, Carndonagh, Donegal town, Dungloe and Milford.

In Dublin, Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy has opened an online book of condolence, as has the Mayor of Limerick Francis Foley.

A book was also opened at Cork City Hall by Lord Mayor Deirdre Forde.

Video by Hugh Russell

A number of books of condolence will also be opened to the public across the north, including at Belfast City Hall, Stormont and the Guildhall in Derry.

Opening the book in Belfast, Lord Mayor Tina Black said: “I want to say we are devastated here in Belfast for the people of Creeslough.

“We obviously have deep historical connections to Donegal. It was always viewed as a place of sanctuary.

“I cannot imagine the immeasurable grief the families and the wider community are feeling.

“I know that the community will be strong and will be united.

“I want the Creeslough community to know that Belfast is thinking of them all. We are praying for you all and we are so, so sorry that this devastation has befallen you.”

She added: “I wanted to open this book of condolence in the City Hall today.

“I would encourage all people to come in and send a message to those in Creeslough.

“Send a message of support, send a message of solidarity and also to showcase how much the citizens of Belfast truly sympathise with the Creeslough community.

“I also want to thank all the emergency services from Donegal and here who worked under such traumatic circumstances in the search and recovery operation.”

A book will open at the Guildhall in Derry at 3pm and there will be a candlelit vigil in the city at 8pm.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Sandra Duffy, said it had been a “sad weekend” for the north west.

She added: “It has been a deeply sad weekend for the people of Donegal, Derry and Tyrone as we watched in disbelief details of the tragedy unfold in Creeslough.

“There are no words for the sadness and grief we all feel.

“Our hearts are sore for the victims’ families and the wider community in Creeslough for their terrible loss.

“It is a small rural community and for a tragedy of this magnitude to happen is just unthinkable.”

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