PRESIDENT CATHERINE CONNOLLY is to meet with the families and survivors of the Creeslough tragedy.

Connolly is currently on a two day tour of Co Donegal where she will attend a number of official engagements.

A meeting with the Creeslough families was not on her official itinerary.

But it is believed the President reached out to members of the Creeslough community with a view to meeting the families.

The meeting will take place at an undisclosed location later this evening.

It is understood the families of those killed and the survivors of the 2022 explosion will ask the President to push for a public inquiry into the tragedy.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said recently that a criminal investigation will have to be completed before any possible public inquiry into the tragedy takes place.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald was in Co Donegal yesterday and urged Minister O’Callaghan to change his mind and order a public inquiry.

A relative of one of the victims who died in the tragedy, who asked not be named, said they will be lobbying the President to do what she can to help their cause.

She said “We are just so pleased and grateful that the President has taken the time to meet us. We appreciate that she has a very busy schedule.

“But we just want a few minutes of her time to let her know the living nightmare we are all going through not knowing what happened to our loved ones.

“It is three and a half years since this happened and we are still no further forward to finding answers.

“We will be thankful for anything that she can do for us.”