Mulroy College win National Garda Award for 'compassion and support' to Creeslough

Mulroy College Milford’s staff and students’ compassion and support following the Creeslough tragedy earned a Special Recognition Award at the annual National Garda Youth Awards in Portlaise.

Ten people lost their lives following an explosion at the local service station on October 7, 2022, including Leona Harper and James Monaghan, who were Mulroy students. Catherine O’Donnell and Martina Martin, mothers of students in the Milford school, also passed away.

Staff and student from Mulroy were recognised local at the Donegal awards in May and picked up the award at the national event in Laois. 

“The tragic events which occurred in Creeslough 2022 and the loss of 10 lives that day caused complete devastation,” a statement from An Garda Siochana read. “As well as losing two friends from the school, and two mothers of students, a number of students that were at the scene also suffered injuries, while the whole school community has been forever changed by that fateful day.

“Of some comfort, however, is the compassion and support that the staff and students of Mulroy College have not just shown one another in the days and weeks that have followed, but to the whole community of Creeslough.

“Their maturity and compassion have lifted people up during a distressing time, and the support that they continue to offer to the locality is a tribute to all 10 people that lost their lives.”

Some 25 awards were made in five different categories at the ceremony this afternoon, each one recognising exceptional young people aged 13 to 21 who have positively contributed to their community.

The national awards were established in 2019 by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris "in recognition of the meaningful work of so many young people in communities across Ireland".