An Bord Pleanála rules out discussion with Creeslough families over rebuld of site

The families of those who lost loved ones in Creeslough will not be afforded a meeting following an appeal against an application to rebuild the petrol station complex where the tragedy took place in 2022.

In February, Donegal County Council granted conditional planning permission to Vivo Shell Limited, which is seeking to rebuild the complex that was the site of a 2022 tragedy in which 10 people, including three children, lost their lives.

However, An Bord Pleanála has ruled out a request for an oral hearing in the case made by a number of those who were bereaved by the tragedy.

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Objections - six in all, four of which were deemed invalid - were lodged against the plans, with bereaved families and survivors among those to raise concerns.

An Bord Pleanála said it has decided "to determine the appeal without an oral hearing" in a letter to Donegal County Council, and said it "has concluded that the appeal can be dealt with adequately through written procedures.

"The Board has absolute discretion to hold an oral hearing and generally holds one where this will help its understanding of a particularly complex case or where it considers that, in a case involving significant national or local issues, the written submissions need to be supplemented by an oral hearing of the issues," it added.

An Bord Pleanála said processing of the appeal will continue and it is due to decide on the case by July 14.

Donegal County Council response to An Bord Pleanála on the appeals, signed by senior planner Mr Frank Sweeney, says that it “would not agree with the assertion that the proposed development would negatively affect the character of the village of Creeslough”.

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 explosion at a commercial and residential complex in the village on October 7, 2022.

Damian Tansey Solicitors LLP, are acting on behalf of Hugh Harper, Donna Harper, Anthony Harper, Jamie Harper, Leah Clarke, Marie Ronaghan, Kathryn McDevitt, Amanda Faul, Adrian McAuley and Noeleen McAuley.

Phoenix Law, Human Rights Lawyers from Belfast, represent Aine Flanagan, Shauna Gallagher, Derek Martin, Caroline Lauder, and MarieLouise Macleod.