Christine Evans, Creeslough tragedy survivor, pictured in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Photo: Joe Dunne
The scene after the explosion at Creeslough. Photo: Mark Condren
Leona Harper, 14, Robert Garwe, 50, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, 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 ten victims of the explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal
It’s been two years since an explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal, killed 10 people and left eight in hospital. The tragedy was the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident in the county for decades.
Those who died were: Robert Garwe (50) and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher (24); Martin McGill (49); James O’Flaherty (48); Martina Martin (49); Hugh Kelly (59); and 14-year-old Leona Harper.
A gas explosion was initially suspected, but there has yet to be an official explanation for the blast. Gardaà have said a criminal investigation is being led by the Donegal division. This week, the Department of Justice said they will await the outcome of that investigation before launching a public enquiry.
For grieving families and survivors, this means another anniversary will now pass without any answers about what happened on that day.
Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Christine Evans, a survivor of the Creeslough disaster, and Ken Foy, crime correspondent with the Irish Independent, to ask if it is time for a public inquiry into the events of October 7, 2022.
The Indo Daily:Â Creeslough: is now the time for a public inquiry into the tragedy?
