Donegal explosion: faces of victims of petrol station explosion in Creeslough revealed
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A five-year-old girl and her father are among the 10 people named as victims of the devastating explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.
Police are continuing to investigate the blast that ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store in Creeslough, Co Donegal, on Friday (7 October) afternoon.
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Hide AdPolice said a man in his 20s remains in a critical condition at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. The seven other surviving casualties continue to receive treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital and remain in a stable condition.
Irish premier Micheal Martin has met those who were admitted to hospital, the medical team which was on duty on the day of the explosion, and members of Letterkenny fire station. Accompanying Mr Martin were Agriculture Minister and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue and deputy leader Leo Varadkar.
Mr Martin spoke to members of the emergency services who worked for 24 hours to locate victims following the explosion. Irish police 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.
Who were the victims who died in the explosion?
The 10 people who died in the blast in Creeslough have now been named by the police.
They are:
- 48-year-old James O’Flaherty
- 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher
- 49-year-old Martin McGill
- 39-year-old Catherine O’Donnell
- 13-year-old son James Monaghan
- 59-year-old Hugh Kelly
- 49-year-old Martina Martin
- 50-year-old Robert Garwe
- five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe
- 14-year-old Leona Harper
Tributes paid to the victims
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Hide AdLetterkenny 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 on Saturday afternoon without any further victims being found. 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.”
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Hide AdThe 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 Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Ireland’s main opposition party, also visited Creeslough on Saturday evening, as did the country’s deputy premier, Tanaiste 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 Irish border, and many volunteers from within the local community, extended through the night on Friday and into Saturday.
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Hide AdAt a media conference in Milford, Co Donegal on Saturday 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.”
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, expressed his shock at the “terrible tragedy”.
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Hide Ad“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 on Saturday 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.”
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