GARDAI probing the cause of the Creeslough blast have secured a court order to preserve the scene of the tragedy.
According to reports, the aim is to give experts more time to try to establish the cause of the October 7 explosion which claimed 10 lives.
The order is the first of its kind and was granted by Justice Paul McDermott on Friday, the Sunday Times reported, after an application by the chief state solicitor on behalf of the gardai. It prohibits any party from accessing the ruins of the flat or service station for 14 days while gardai and expert consultants search for evidence.
The paper reports that Det Norske Veritas, a global consultancy that advises on risk, safety and assurance, has been engaged by Garda headquarters to help to establish the cause.
CCTV footage taken from nearby buildings shows a large explosion at 3.20pm in a flat on the upper floor of the main building in the filling station complex but investigators have still not identified what caused the leak.
The Health and Safety Authority is monitoring what remains of the structure, which is likely to be demolished as soon as possible.
