Ceremony to take place to mark four years since tragic Creeslough explosion

10 people lost their lives in the 2022 tragedy.

On October 7, 2022, an explosion at a service station and apartment complex in the Donegal village claimed the lives of Shauna-Flanagan Garwe (5) and her father Robert Garwe (50), Leona Harper (14), Hugh Kelly (59), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), James O'Flaherty (48), Martina Martin (49), Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13).

Wreaths are expected to be laid at the scene this afternoon by relatives and friends of the victims, with local clergy also due to gather to remember those who lost their lives.

Gardaí, the Health and Safety Authority and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities continue to investigate the explosion, with a file sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in September last year, followed by a supplementary file containing formal recommendations earlier this year.

There is currently no indication of when the matter is likely to be concluded, with the DPP’s office saying it does not discuss individual cases.

The 10 victims of the Creeslough tragedy.

Áine Flanagan, whose partner Robert Garwe and five-year-old daughter Shauna died in the tragedy, told RTÉ that they had gone to the shop to buy her a birthday cake.

"I was 60 yesterday and my whole immediate family is gone. Shauna and Bob weren't here to celebrate that big birthday and that was very difficult," Ms Flanagan said.

She said she was heartbroken over the fact there's been "no answers".

"We just want truth, justice and accountability… I know files are with the DPP, but it's a waiting game. I don't understand why our justice system is so slow," she added.

Also speaking to RTÉ, the mother of 14-year-old Leona Harper, Donna Harper, said she is as "heartbroken today," as "the day that it happened four years" ago.

"How can you begin to even put a step forward in front of you? You can't because you have no answers of any kind.

"We are waiting on the DPP to come back. We are hoping that that's going to come back pretty soon because it is four years," she said.

Ms Harper continued: "We really do need the public inquiry because there's just so many questions left unanswered. Our lives have been changed forever."

She also spoke on her meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin earlier this year, describing it as "a bit positive", adding "he does stand with us in the need for the questions that need to be answered".

Bereaved families also met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan earlier this year, with the Department of Justice saying efforts remain focused on establishing the full facts through independent investigations.

A department spokesperson commented: "The minister has been assured by the coroner that work is ongoing in preparation for the inquests into the deaths of those lost in the Creeslough tragedy.

"The minister has offered support to the coroner, if required, to ensure the inquests have all necessary resources."

Regarding calls for a public inquiry, the spokesperson said the Government "must be careful not to take steps that could cut across or compromise live investigations".

"Should a criminal prosecution be initiated and proceeded within the courts, such proceedings will be in public. Similarly, any coroner’s inquest will be conducted in public."

Gardaí remain in contact with families and survivors as the investigation continues, and are urging anyone who has information but has not yet come forward to contact them.

They said the investigation team can be contacted at Milford Garda Station on 074 9153060, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or through any Garda station.