The investigation into the explosion that claimed 10 lives continues.
Nearly one year on from the Creeslough explosion, An Garda Síochána have offered an update on its investigation into the fatal incident.
The shocking explosion occurred on 7 October 2022 at an Applegreen petrol station in the village of Creeslough in Donegal and claimed 10 lives.
The 10 people who died in the blast were James O’Flaherty (48), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Hugh Kelly (59), Martina Martin (49), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (14).
Ahead of the first anniversary of the tragedy on Saturday, An Garda Síochána issued a statement in which they said that the victims, as well as their families and friends and the Creeslough community, are in their thoughts at this time.
Gardaí also stated that it continues to work “diligently and as expeditiously as possible in the circumstances to ensure that all the circumstances of this fatal explosion are professionally investigated”.
A memorial service will take place this Saturday for the one year anniversary of the Creeslough explosion
The investigation into the incident is being co-ordinated from Milford Garda station in Donegal where an incident room has been established under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer.
This probe continues to be supported by several other Garda sections, with assistance from the Health and Safety Authority, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and DNV – Det Norske Veritas.
An Garda Síochána have said that, as part of the “extensive investigation”, more than 900 statements have been taken and more than 1,350 lines of enquiry have been actioned to date.
This is as a Family Liaison Team, with a dedicated Family Liaison Officer appointed to each of the families of those who died, is in place and continues to support the bereaved relatives.
St. Michael’s Church in Creeslough has announced that an anniversary memorial service and commemoration for those who lost their lives in the explosion will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 7 October at the site of the tragedy.
Mass will then be offered in the church at 7.30pm on Saturday to commemorate those who died, for those who were injured and in thanksgiving for all who responded to the incident.
“The families are respectfully asking that this be a time for them, for our communities and for those who responded: that space and time be given to all to privately gather to pray and remember their loved ones,” the church said.
“They are requesting that media give them the opportunity to do this without intrusion and afford us the time to heal.”
“There will be a media area at the open air event on Saturday at 3pm at the site of the tragedy: this will be the only permitted media event in the weeks ahead.”
Main image via Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
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