THE FAMILIES OF the ten people killed in the Creeslough tragedy were today joined on the third anniversary of the explosion by people who lost loved ones in the Stardust fire.

Some relatives of those killed in the explosion also used the anniversary to once again call for a public inquiry. 

The tiny Co Donegal village came to a standstill today as the families and friends of those killed on 7 October, 2022 were remembered.

The families and friends of those killed in the still unexplained explosion at the Applegreen Service Station gathered at the scene of the tragedy once again.

They were joined in solidarity by family members who lost loved ones in the Stardust tragedy in Dublin in 1981 in which 48 young people died.

Four men, three women and three young people, ranging in ages from five to 59, died in the Creeslough explosion.

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 were all killed.

Anthony Gallagher, who lost his daughter Jessica in the explosion, admitted it was difficult to live locally and to be reminded each day of the place where his daughter died.

Fighting back tears he said: “We don’t pass it too often but it’s a reminder every day you pass, not only for us but there are people living around here and they are walking past it every day and they have to think about it as well.”

Asked what would be a fitting tribute on the site where the ten people perished, Gallagher replied that it’s “up to others to make that decision. We know what we would like but it’s up to others to make that decision”.

He added that a public inquiry is needed “to bring closure to the families.”

“A public inquiry would answer all the questions not only in this country but also outside the country.

“As a European, members of other European countries are looking at the standards that are here saying do we have to change our standards.

“They don’t know and we don’t know so a public inquiry would definitely open up that avenue for us,” he said.

Gallagher thanked his own community of Creeslough, saying he cannot speak highly enough of them.

“They have gathered around and help us in immeasurable ways. I cannot speak highly enough about them. They’re fantastic.

“It means we can rely on them (the community). We know they are there which is a great help to us.”

Hugh Harper, who lost his 14-year-old daughter Leona in the tragedy, also called for a public inquiry.

“We again have faith in An Garda Síochána and the investigation that they are doing but will it give us all our answers, will it provide clarity, is it just designed as a criminal investigation and that’s it.

“Is it and should it be the responsibility of An Garda Siochana to give us those answers or should the responsibility be on the State?

“The Government is responsible for public safety. How they can make decisions and how decisions can be made in a timely manner before we get any answers I just don’t understand.”

He added that he welcomed the recent announcement by gardaí that a file on the incident has now been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He also said that it was a lovely gesture to see the community of Creeslough turn out in such large numbers for the third anniversary of the tragedy.

“It’s something we only get once a year and when you see these people together it shows you how a group of people have been affected directly from what happened.”

He added that three years on from the tragedy “it only feels like last week”.

“Lives have moved on but we are still stuck on 7 October, 2022. We have not progressed.

“We need answers. We need answers to be able to close a chapter and progress our own grieving.”

At today’s ceremony marking the third anniversary, the family and friends of those who were killed walked a short distance up the village’s Main Street towards the scene of the explosion.

Relatives pinned pictures of their loved ones to the wooden hoarding which surrounds the scene of what was once a busy service station in the heart of the village.

Others placed floral bouquets and wreaths at the foot of the hoarding, which is a constant reminder of the horror which unfolded three years ago.

For ten minutes, more than 200 people stood in silence, each reliving the day their lives changed forever.

At 3.17pm, the exact moment of the explosion, the bells of the nearby St Michael’s Church rang out.

Fr John Joe Duffy, who oversaw many of the funerals of the ten who died, called out the names of the ten deceased.

He also asked those who gathered to keep all the families in their prayers including family members who have since passed away.

The sounds of musician Matt McGranaghan’s fiddle then filled the air.

Many hugged each other, while others preferred to stand alone wiping tears from their cheeks.

But while this was very much an occasion to remember and honour the ten people who died, some of the families also expressed their feelings about the investigation into the tragedy.

The families were supported by members of the Stardust Victims Committee who travelled to Donegal in support of the Creeslough families.

Antoinette Keegan, who lost her two sisters in the 1981 blaze, said the Government needs to assist the Creeslough families to get the answers they are looking for.

“I do feel it’s very important because ten people were killed here on this site three years ago. I know the gardaí are doing a great job and the investigation is ongoing.

“But all the families are looking for is just their fundamental rights insofar that they are looking for a public inquiry to be set up. And I am asking the Taoiseach Micheal Martin to assist them and to give it to them.

“Please do not leave it on the long finger like we were left for 43 years.”