Creeslough explosion: Leona Harper 'a little lady with a big heart'

One of the youngest victims of the Creeslough explosion in County Donegal was "a little lady with a big heart", her funeral has heard.

Leona Harper, 14, was picking up an ice cream in the shop when the explosion happened on Friday.

The funeral of Martina Martin, 49, also took place on Thursday, at St Michael's Church in Creeslough.

The mother-of-four, who worked at the service station, "lived for her children", the congregation was told.

Ten people were killed in Friday's explosion, which police said appears to have been a tragic accident.

Leona Harper was one of the youngest people to die in the blast

Fr Michael Carney told mourners at St Mary's Church in Ramelton that although Leona's time on this earth was "too short" she lived life to the full.

"She has made her unique contribution, left her imprint and contributed to the lives of those she loved, lived and laughed with."

The congregation heard that Leona was described as a "little miracle" being born after her mother, Donna, was told she could not conceive another child.

The priest also spoke of Leona's "varied" interests and pursuits from music, dance and fashion to a love for the outdoors, fishing and a passion for tractors.

School friends formed a guard of honour for Leona Harper

"She was beginning to feature in her rugby club as a gifted player," Fr Carney added.

"And, like many girls, the exploits and success of Kelly Harrington and Katie Taylor had sparked an interest in boxing, and Liverpool was her team."

Her father Hugh told Highland Radio his daughter was a "little gem".

Members of a dog search team who helped in the recovery operation attended Leona Harper's funeral

Representatives from Search and Rescue Dog Association Ireland (SARDAI) attended Leona's funeral on Thursday.

They had been called to Creeslough following Friday's explosion.

Labrador Bodhi was the first dog that entered the rubble and the last dog to leave, his handler Michael McCamley told BBC News NI.

They also had the help of Tess and her handler Trevor Hartley who were at the scene on Friday and Saturday.

Paying tribute to Leona, Mulroy College said its school community had been filled with a terrible sadness following her death.

"We will think of her great strength of character, independent mindedness and love of sport and farming," it said.

Martina Martin, it added, was also a parent at the school, which is about 12 miles from Creeslough, and would be remembered as a "cherished friend".

A guard of honour

By Grainne Connolly, BBC News NI in Ramelton

A Liverpool flag blew in the wind outside St Mary's Church Ramelton as crowds of young people formed a guard of honour for the funeral of 14-year old Leona Harper.

Students from Mulroy College and Scoil Mhuire, both in Milford, were there. They're both schools which Leona attended.

Leona's Letterkenny rugby teammates also attended.

As these young people stood in the rain, ready to say goodbye to Leona, the church singer sang Jealous of the Angels in the background over a loudspeaker.

Martina Martin worked at the county Donegal service station

Martina's funeral Mass was held at St Michael's church in Creeslough which has seen a number of funerals of the blast victims this week.

"Once you met her in life, she became your friend," a priest told mourners.

Fr John Joe Duffy said Martina Martin was "so well loved, so well liked" and had been "doing what she loved" when the tragedy happened.

"She worked at the heart of the community," he added.

As the service began, Ms Martin's daughter Grainne carried a photo of her siblings to the front of the church.

A coffee cup, dark chocolate and a Harry Potter train and pillow were also used as symbols to represent her mother's life.

"She believed in you and she wanted you to be happy," Fr Duffy said in a message directed at Ms Martin's children.

When giving a reading, Ms Martin's cousin Sonia concluded by saying "rest in peace beautiful lady".

• Another difficult day in a week without compare

• Who were the victims of the petrol station explosion?

Fr Duffy said the community had showed great strength to support people through recent days.

"Creeslough is a village, yes, a small village, but it is now more than just that," he explained.

"It is now a word for determination, for resolve, and for togetherness.

"This tragedy has reignited within all of us, myself included, that each one of us are only as strong as the families we have around us, only as strong as the community that surrounds us."

Representatives of the Irish president, the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and emergency services were present at both services.

On Tuesday, funeral services were held at St Michael's Church in the village for Jessica Gallagher, 24, and 49-year-old Martin McGill.

James O'Flaherty, Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan were buried on Wednesday.

Hugh Kelly, who also lost his life, will be buried on Friday.