Creeslough Families Demand Answers After Meeting with Justice Minister

A legal representative for a group representing some of the victims’ families has stated that “Extremely serious” questions concerning the Creeslough explosion still require resolution. Damian Tanswey made these remarks following a meeting involving Ireland’s justice minister, environment minister, and agriculture minister with the group representing some individuals who were killed and injured in the blast. This group is advocating for the Irish government to initiate an independent inquiry. The explosion, which occurred at a service station and an adjacent shop in County Donegal in October 2022, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals. Those who perished – comprising four men, three women, two teenagers, and a five-year-old girl – resided in the vicinity. Mr. Tanswey conveyed that while the families maintain confidence in the current Garda (Irish police) investigation, its scope is restricted to identifying criminal findings. He urged for “an overarching painstaking forensics & comprehensive investigation into what happened” in Creeslough. Hugh Harper, whose daughter Leona died in the explosion, articulated that the families require answers to facilitate their grieving process appropriately. Leona, aged 14, was purchasing an ice cream at the shop when the incident took place. Mr. Harper reported that the ministers extended a warm reception to the group, and its members perceived themselves to be nearer to securing a public inquiry. He added that the ministers fully considered all their expressed concerns. “We have gone through a living nightmare since 7 October 2022,” Mr Harper stated. “Everyday we live with it, it is not just a once off for our family and everyone’s families who were injured. “There is more to this story than meets the eye and for us to make any attempt to move forward we need all of the answers.” Shauna Gallagher, whose sister Jessica also perished in the explosion, conveyed that words could not adequately describe their loss, yet one crucial question demanded an answer – “why?” “There is no way to understand it, we can try our very best to put our lives back together and continue as much as we can but how can we do that without the necessary information?” she remarked. Several investigations are presently in progress, among them one conducted by gardaí and another by the Health and Safety Authority. An Garda Síochána issued a statement indicating that the investigation, which is being spearheaded by gardaí within the Donegal Division, is continuing with the objective of presenting a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. On Wednesday, upwards of 40 individuals from the County Donegal village journeyed to Government Buildings in Dublin. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue were present at the meeting, alongside Justice Minister Helen McEntee. In correspondence sent to Minister McEntee last month, a solicitor acting on behalf of some victims articulated that their sorrow had been intensified by the lack of an independent investigation compliant with human rights standards. Darragh Mackin further stated that the families of the victims have undergone “unimaginable pain and suffering.” In a statement released subsequent to the meeting, the ministers conveyed the government’s view that it was crucial to directly apprehend the experiences of the Creeslough community. They also expressed a strong aspiration for families to receive the necessary answers concerning the deaths of their relatives. The ministers indicated that they had not dismissed the possibility of a public inquiry, but stressed the significance of allowing current investigations to reach their conclusion.