‘Families of those killed in Creeslough tragedy feel forgotten about’

Donegal Deputy and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty has asked the government to consider the pleas of families of those killed in the Creeslough tragedy.

Some families have publicly demanded a public inquiry into the cause of the tragedy. Minister Roderic O’Gorman has said that the government is considering the request.

Ten people were tragically killed in the Creeslough Tragedy in October 2022, following an explosion at the local service station. The victims were five-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe and her father, Robert Garwe (50); Leona Harper (14), Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son, James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher (24); Martina Martin (49). James O’Flaherty (48), Martin McGill (49) and Hugh Kelly (59).

“We will mark the anniversary of the two-year anniversary of the Creeslough tragedy,” Doherty said. “It was a day when time stopped for the people of that community. The explosion took the lives of ten innocent people. Families were left torn apart and desperate for answers.

“It’s two years on and families still don’t have those answers and some feel forgotten about. We have a Garda investigation which is still ongoing which will determine whether there was criminal negligence involved or not.

“However, that will only answer one question. Some of the families have written to your government seeking a public inquiry into the tragedy. These families want a full account of what happened so this is never allowed to happen to anybody ever again.

“We saw on Prime Time the mother of Leona Harper and the father of Jessica Gallagher plead with us to help them find these answers. We in this house can't turn back time or undo the tragedy but we can still help these families.

“Can I ask you, will your government consider their pleas for a public inquiry and when will the government make a decision on that matter?”