Creeslough: Tributes to petrol station explosion victims

Summary

The names of the 10 victims of an explosion in the Republic of Ireland are confirmed
The blast destroyed a service station in Creeslough, County Donegal on Friday
Those who died include a five-year-old girl, two teenagers, four men and three women
All of the victims were from the village or the surrounding areas
Vigils are held across County Donegal to remember those who lost their lives

Live Reporting

People come together on another moving day in Donegalpublished at 20:25 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
At this evening's vigils to remember those killed in the explosion in Creeslough, parents hugged their children while others said quiet prayers or held candles.
Image source, PA Media
From this morning's Mass in the village, through to the release of the names of the victims this afternoon, and on to the gatherings of communities across County Donegal tonight, it's been another moving day.
That's all from us for tonight but we'll be back tomorrow with more from Creeslough.
Do join us then.
Latest updates after petrol station explosionpublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
As we approach the end of our coverage for the day, here are the main details that emerged from Creeslough on Sunday:
- Gardaí confirmed the names of all ten of the people killed in the explosion
- Five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe was the youngest victim and died alongside her dad
Image source, PA Media
- Friends of those who were killed have paid tribute to them
- Vigils have taken place in County Donegal to remember the victims
- More vigils will take place across the north-west in the coming days
Read more: Girl, 5, and dad among 10 killed in Donegal blast
'We knew we would know the people involved'published at 19:48 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Creeslough pharmacist Fergus Brennan knew almost all of the victims of the explosion.
He heard it while he was at work and within minutes the news had filtered through about what had happened at the petrol station, known in the village as Lafferty's.
"It started for us with a frantic phone call from a family member trying to trace their son, which turned out to be Martin McGill, a very regular customer of ours," he tells RTÉ.
Image source, RTÉ News
"One of us went up to Lafferty's where his car was parked in the forecourt.
"Everyone knew that sadly people had been caught up in this and we were all very likely to know people involved.
"Now that we know the names and faces of [the victims], who are part of the Creeslough community, it's really difficult to come to terms with."
Teen buying ice cream at time of explosionpublished at 19:39 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
Letterkenny rugby player Leona Harper was one of two teenagers who died in the Creeslough explosion.
The 14-year-old was supposed to attend a birthday party on Friday but decided to go to the village for a sleepover with her friend.
The two had went to the shop to buy ice cream when they were caught up in the explosion, reports RTÉ.
Man originally from Australia killed in blastpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
James O'Flaherty was originally from Sydney in Australia.
The 48-year-old father had been living in Dunfanaghy, near Creeslough.
Fashion designer Jessica 'was a lovely girl'published at 19:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
Jessica Gallagher (above) was a graduate of fashion colleges in Paris and Shanghai and was due to start a new job as a designer in Belfast.
On Friday she was visiting her boyfriend in his apartment, which was above the petrol station.
Image source, Rte news
Aileen Níc Pháidín (above) knew Jessica well.
"She was a lovely girl - I was friendly with her when I was younger," she tells RTÉ.
"Me and my brother would have been over a lot and her mammy would have made us dinner. Very good hearted people."
'A devoted son'published at 19:08 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
Martin McGill was described as a "devoted son" who cared for his elderly mother and regularly visited the pharmacy to collect medication for her.
"Martin's mum called the pharmacy to see if he had come in," said Mr Brennan.
"Tragically one of our team went up to [the petrol station after the explosion] and Martin's car was on the forecourt."
Mum and son met in Creeslough post office queue before explosionpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her son James Monaghan, 13, also died in Friday’s tragedy in Creeslough.
James was in the queue for the post office with his mum Catherine O'Donnell when the explosion happened, Irish national broadcaster RTÉ reports.
He is believed that he met his mum after getting off the bus from school.
Shop worker and mother among victimspublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
Martina Martin worked in the shop in the service station.
The 49-year-old was a mother of four children.
'Beautiful little girl' always asked for a lollipoppublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Robert 'Bob' Garwe was known in the town for travelling everywhere by scooter, with his 5-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe.
The father and daughter had gone to the shop to buy a birthday cake and treats.
Shauna was the youngest victim of the explosion.
Image source, An Garda Síochána
"Shauna was a playful, energetic little girl," local pharmacist Fergus Brennan told RTÉ News.
"She always asked for a lollipop which is a tradition in community pharmacies.
"A beautiful little girl...her dad, who's been lost with Shauna, doted on her."
Oldest victim of Creeslough explosion was a farmerpublished at 18:24 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
More details about the 10 victims of the Creeslough explosion are emerging.
Hugh Kelly was a local farmer.
The 59-year-old was the oldest person to die in the blast.
Garda chief visits scene of explosionpublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, visited the scene of the explosion in Creeslough on Sunday afternoon.
Image source, PA Media
'All I could see was two of our boots'published at 17:56 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
JJ McGowan was the chief ambulance officer at the scene of the explosion on Friday.
Speaking to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, he pays tribute to the emergency services from both sides of the border that took part in the search and rescue operation.
He describes one moment during the searches that stood out to him, summing up the bravery and determination of the workers.
Image source, PA Media
The fire service had made a small hole in a wall to see if there was anyone trapped beyond it.
Mr McGowan says: "All I could see was two of our boots sticking out of it, with the green trousers.
"One of our lads [was] in there trying to see what he could find in through what you could only describe as a mouse hole."
Liverpool FC pays its respectspublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
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Vigil for Creeslough victims held in nearby Milfordpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
A vigil has been held in the nearby town of Milford to remember those who were killed by the explosion in Creeslough.
A Facebook post from the Milford and District Resource centre, external said the vigil was to "provide a focus for the community and outlet for our grief and to stand in solidarity with the community of Creeslough".
Milford church representatives were also present to offer support to those affected by the disaster.
"As a community we once again thank the emergency services who worked day and night in difficult circumstances," a statement said.
'Unreal and unfair'published at 17:15 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Charlotte Gallagher
BBC News correspondent in Creeslough
In a village of 400 people everyone knows these victims.
No-one here will be unaffected by this tragedy.
The ruins of the petrol station and the flats above it sit next to a small row of houses with windows blown out, curtains blowing out into the street.
The community is rallying around for each other.
The café has been feeding the emergency services for free 24 hours a day, the Gaelic Athletic Association club is providing counsellors and a glass company says it will repair damaged homes free of charge.
In the church 10 red candles have been lit for each of the 10 victims.
The local priest described the explosion as "unreal and unfair".
Irish PM thanks emergency responderspublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Michaél Martin has visited Donegal Fire Service with Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar.
They thanked them for their "incredible work" responding to the tragedy.
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'My heart hurts for those poor people'published at 16:44 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Michael McBride
BBC News NI
Carol Walton from Philadelphia in the United States took a break from her holiday in County Donegal to pay respects to those who died in the explosion.
She was among those attending a Mass service at St Michael’s Church this morning.
Speaking to BBC News NI, Ms Walton said: “My ancestors are from right down the road here."
“We were actually here researching about our family history when the explosion happened.
“We were by the gas station half an hour before it happened.
“It’s just so shocking, I still can’t believe it.
"Those poor, poor people. I wanted to come here today and pay my respects to them and their families. My heart hurts for them.”
Pope offers condolences to Creeslough communitypublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Pope Francis has offered his condolences to the people of Creeslough in the wake of the explosion that left 10 people dead.
A statement sent by his representative to Bishop of Raphoe read: "His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the explosion in Creeslough and he expresses his spiritual closeness to all those suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Image source, Getty Images
"While entrusting the deceased to the merciful love of almighty god, His Holiness implores the divine blessings of consolation and healing upon the injured, the displaced and the families coping with pain of loss.
"As a pledge of strength and peace in the lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing to all the people of Ireland."
'Heartbroken' family of Leona Harper release statementpublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 9 October 2022
Image source, An Garda Síochána
The family of 14-year-old Leona Harper have paid tribute to the those who "worked through the night" to recover Leona from the rubble.
In a statement to Highland Radio, they said, external: "The heartbroken family of Leona Harper wishes to thank each and everyone that helped find their girl.
"Emergency services and locals worked through the night to return Leona to her family 24 hours after the tragic explosion, they're eternally grateful."