Ireland

King Charles offers condolences after Cresslough explosion

Those who died in the explosion in Creeslough on Friday: top row, left to right; Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5), Jessica Gallagher (24) and James O'Flaherty (48); and bottom row, left to right, Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Catherine O'Donnell (39), her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, and Martin McGill (49).
Those who died in the explosion in Creeslough on Friday: top row, left to right; Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5), Jessica Gallagher (24) and James O'Flaherty (48); and bottom row, left to right, Martina Martin (49), Hugh Ke Those who died in the explosion in Creeslough on Friday: top row, left to right; Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5), Jessica Gallagher (24) and James O'Flaherty (48); and bottom row, left to right, Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Catherine O'Donnell (39), her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, and Martin McGill (49).

The King has sent a message of condolence to the President of Ireland following the deaths of 10 people in an explosion at a petrol station in Co Donegal.

He said: “My wife and I were filled with immense sadness when we heard of that appallingly tragic explosion at Creeslough, County Donegal.

“We remember with the greatest fondness meeting people from across Donegal when we visited in 2016 and the strong sense of community that exists there.

“However inadequate this may be under such shattering circumstances, we wanted you to know that our most heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences are with those families and friends who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy, together with yourself and the people of Ireland.”

Earlier, a parish priest in Creeslough described how “the heart of this village has been broken by a tsunami of grief”.

Father John Joe Duffy told BBC News: “This is a quiet village, and the heart of this village has been broken by a tsunami of grief.

“But we also know we are being held in the arms of communities right across both our islands – the United Kingdom and Ireland – and beyond, as far away as Australia, there was messages of prayers coming to us, and it’s just like a tidal wave coming in.

“Communities putting their arms around us and helping us – the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Pope Francis – and many others have sent us support. That’s what’s helping us at this time.”

Father John added that he knew “most of the people” who died in the blast, as did many of the first responders from the fire and ambulance services.

He said he has spoken with several families of those who died and they have expressed gratitude that people rushed in to the petrol station to help, as did emergency services from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Members of the Civil Defence clear debris at the scene of an explosion at an Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have now been confirmed dead. Picture date: Saturday October 8, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal . Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
Members of the Civil Defence clear debris at the scene of an explosion at an Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have now been confirmed dead. Picture date: Saturday October 8, 2022. PA Photo. See PA sto Members of the Civil Defence clear debris at the scene of an explosion at an Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have now been confirmed dead. Picture date: Saturday October 8, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Donegal . Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.