Creeslough families to meet with Justice Minister on call for explosion inquiry

A group of people directly impacted by the Creeslough explosion will meet with the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, today.

Minister McEntee will hear a plea to hold a public inquiry into the horrific October 2022 blast which claimed 10 lives in the north Donegal village.

The Creeslough Family Support Group, which represents sound 40 people directly affected by the explosion, will travel to Dublin to meet with the Minister.

The group represents families bereaved in by the tragedy and also survivors of the explosion.

The Minister for Agriculture and Donegal TD, Charlie McConalogue, and the Minister for Environment, Eamon Ryan, will also attend the meeting.

In a recent letter to Ms McEntee, the Creeslough Family Support Group told how their trauma has been immeasurable.

“It has been recognised as a national tragedy,” a letter said.

"As a group, we all have our own questions that we believe are valid.

"We are supporting the families in their endeavours to understand the series of events that may have led to the suspected explosion that killed ten people".

The group outlined their fears that their concerns could be forgotten were a general election called and they asked for their request to be given priority.

A spokesperson said the Minister has previously acknowledged that “it is important they get the answers they need in relation to what was a national tragedy”.

She added: “It is also important that the Garda investigation, the HSA (Health and Safety Authority) investigation and the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) investigation complete their work.”

Last month, a solicitor acting for several of the bereaved families called for a public inquiry.

Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law represents the next of kin of Catherine O’Donnell, James Monaghan, Robert Garwe, Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Jessica Gallagher, Martina Martin and Leona Harper. He wrote to Minister McEntee formally requesting that a public inquiry or commission of investigation be established.An Garda Siochana is continuing its probe into the blast.

Over 1,350 lines of enquiry have been followed and over 900 statements taken. Four persons have been arrested and released without charge as part of the Garda investigation.

A file is said to be nearing completion and that will be handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In the lead-up to the second anniversary of the explosion, Ann Marie Boyle, who lost her sister Catherine O’Donnell and nephew James Monagan in the explosion, told Donegal Live: “What we are asking is the Minister to come to Donegal and help us families.

“The Stardust families waited for 40 years before they got any proper answers. We can’t be left to wait for 40 years for answers.

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“We just want to know what happened, how it happened and why it happened.”

Five-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe and her father, Robert Garwe (50) lost their lives, as did Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son, James Monaghan. Leona Harper, aged 14, and Jessica Gallagher (24) were killed along with shop assistant Martina Martin (49). James O’Flaherty (48), Martin McGill (49) and Hugh Kelly (59) were the other victims of the horrific explosion.