RIP: Body found in search for missing man (63) as heartbreaking statement is issued
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09 Mar 2026
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09 Mar 2026
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Mary Lou McDonald said: 'It is almost three and a half years since this awful tragedy and the families continue to campaign for the truth'
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald, accompanied by Pearse Doherty TD and Pádraig MacLochlainn TD, this afternoon met with families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the Creeslough tragedy in relation to the request for a public inquiry.
The tragedy occurred on October 7, 2022, when an explosion at the local service station claimed the lives of five-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe and her father, Robert Garwe (50), 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).
Ms McDonald said: “Today we held a lengthy meeting with families of those who lost loved ones, and who were injured in the Creeslough tragedy in relation to their request for a public inquiry. It is almost three and a half years since this awful tragedy and the families continue to campaign for the truth.
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“The refusal of the current Justice Minister to meet with the families has caused huge hurt. We are asking the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to meet with the families. They have many questions, some of which they want to put directly to the Minister. It is important that the voices of the families are heard and it is possible to do this without in any way compromising the criminal investigation.
“This is a process that is likely to continue for some time. The families believe that there are many questions that will not be answered by the criminal investigation and are calling for an independent public inquiry to take place at the same time.
“We believe that it is possible to have a public inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy at the same time as the criminal investigation is ongoing. This is something which was confirmed by the previous Garda Commissioner.
“We will continue to work with the families and we will raise the issues which they discussed with us with the Taoiseach and Justice Minister.”
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