Creeslough families ask for inquiry into explosion

Ten people were killed in an explosion at the Creeslough service station on 7 October 2022

Several families who lost loved ones in an explosion in Creeslough, County Donegal, have called on the Irish Government to set up a public inquiry into the tragedy.

The blast, which killed 10 people, happened at a service station in the County Donegal village on 7 October 2022.

The victims - four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old girl - were from the village or surrounding areas.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed she is considering a letter from solicitor Darragh Mackin, on behalf of relatives of seven of the 10 victims, asking for an independent investigation into the blast.

The victims of the petrol station explosion

Mr Mackin, of Belfast-based legal firm Phoenix Law, confirmed they were also seeking a meeting with the minister.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris said he could “absolutely understand” why families wanted answers and information.

Speaking in New York, Harris said the question for his government was how best to do that.

"I am conscious that there are some investigations under way, but I think the families definitely deserve a hearing on this issue," he said.

"We should always listen to the families of victims and I am sure government will consider their request."

Creeslough is a small village in the north west of the island of Ireland, about 15 miles (24km) from Letterkenny and 30 miles (48km) from the border with Northern Ireland.

It has a population of about 400 people.

The blast on 7 October 2022 resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident in the county in decades.

Those who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O'Flaherty; Martina Martin; Hugh Kelly; and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

'Unimaginable pain and suffering'

Mr Mackin is representing next of kin of Robert Garwe, Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine O'Donnell, James Monaghan, Jessica Gallagher, Martina Martin and Leona Harper.

In his letter, Mr Mackin said the Creeslough disaster had been compounded by the absence of an independent human rights-compliant investigation.

He also said the victims' families endured "unimaginable pain and suffering".

"Their families remain unable to grieve for their loss until such times as they know the truth of what occurred, the failings are acknowledged and specific lessons are learned so that an incident like this never happens again," he wrote.

The letter noted that the only current examination of the incident is the criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána (the Irish police service).

It said there remained uncertainty over when that will conclude and whether it will result in any criminal justice proceedings.

Mr Mackin said the statutory function of An Garda Síochána was to investigate alleged criminality and said that "they cannot be criticised for this limitation".

However, he said that the Irish police force was unable to produce a public report into the incident, disclose documents to families or make recommendations to ensure a similar event never happened again.

He added: "It is clear on any reading that there are wider issues of preventability relating to the Creeslough explosion which will inevitably fall outside the garda investigation."

Creeslough is a small village in the north west of the island of Ireland

In regard to other types of investigation, Mr Mackin said there were several reasons why an inquest would be "insufficient and ineffective" in the Creeslough case, including the fact that it could take several years to be held.

"We write to formally request that the minister give consideration to the commissioning of an independent investigation in the form of a public inquiry or commission of investigation, in the terms to be agreed in consultation with the families.

"The holding of such an investigation now will ensure that no further time is lost and indeed will provide our clients with a vehicle for getting to the truth and, in turn, finally being able to grieve for their loved ones.

"Given the nature of our request, we write to formally ask the minister to consider meeting with our clients to discuss this request in more detail at your earliest convenience."

Police investigation is ongoing

In a statement, the Irish department of justice confirmed the minister had received the letter and was considering its contents but could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

An Garda Síochána said their investigation was ongoing "with the intention of submitting a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions".

It had no further comment at this time.