A father and daughter, five years old, and their mother were among the ten people killed by the explosion at Donegal’s petrol station. Another victim was a mother with her son.
A gas explosion at Creeslough’s Applegreen Service Station on Friday afternoon resulted in the deaths of four men and three women as well as two teens and one five-year old girl.
The ten victims today are: Father James O’Flaherty 48, Jessica Gallagher 24 and Martin McGill 49. Catherine O’Donnell 39 and her son James, 13 years old; Hugh Kelly, farmer, Martina Martin 49. Martin McGill 49. Martin Martina Martin 49. Martin Martina Martin 49. Martin Martina Martin 49. Robert Garwe, Shauna, five year-old, Leona Harper 14, and Martin McGill 49.
In a statement today, the Garda Síochána said that a male in his 20s remains in a critical condition at St James Hospital in Dublin, while a further seven casualties are receiving treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital and remain in stable condition.
Robert Garwe was with his daughter Shauna when the tragedy struck. They were given a lift to the petrol station by local farmer Hugh Kelly, who was waiting outside but also died.
After recently having a birthday, the little girl was determined to purchase a cake for her mom.
However, she was killed just moments after her father, a Zambian man in 50s, moved to Ireland.
MailOnline received a message from a friend saying that it was a tragedy. She had only gone to the shop to purchase something for her mother. Hughie provided a ride to her dad and gave her a lift. She and her father went in, while he waited outside.
“There was an explosion, and Sonia and her dad were both killed. Hughie died too, despite never having entered the shop.
The girls’ mother, Katy, is devastated by the loss of her only child. Bob was born in Africa and had two children. Although this is not a large community, it has taken the heart out.
It was the brother of the girl who had moved to Donegal in the UK from England and was one of those keeping watch over the blast site yesterday.
Leona Harper was a teenager who died after choosing icecream from the refrigerator at the petrol station.
Jessica Gallagher (a designer) was among those who were also killed in the explosion.
Leona Harper (14 years old), was a former player for Letterkenny Rugby Club. She has been listed as one of the 10 victims.
Jessica Gallagher (23) was named yesterday as one the 10 people who were killed by a gas explosion in Creeslough (Co Donegal).
Miss Gallagher is thought to have been a native of Creeslough, a tiny village of less than 400 people located in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland, who lived in an apartment conjoined with the petrol station
Anthony Harper (Leona Harper’s brother), paid an emotional tribute to her last night. Anthony Harper said that he could not have asked for a more loving sister. On Facebook, he said, “Leona, you are so special and we all love your so very much.”
Letterkenny Rugby Club paid tribute last night to the teenager.
“We’re heartbroken to report that our worst fears are confirmed. Leona Harper, a Creeslough resident, tragically took her own life yesterday.
“Leona” was an excellent rugby player who played a significant part in our U14 girls team.
“To Leona’s parents Hugh and Donna and to her brothers Anthony & Jamie as well as all her team members, we send our sincerest condolences.
“There are no words strong enough to describe the pain of such deep grief. Leona, rest in peace.
Leona was scheduled to spend Friday night at her friend’s home. The two friends entered the shop just minutes before the blast – which is believed to have been caused by a cylinder of gas in a nearby apartment – after finishing school for the week.
An Irish Mail friend reported that the two daughters went to the shop with a family friend. It was planned that Leona would spend the night at her friend’s place.
They went in to buy ice cream. Leona found her friend at the entrance to the shop, and she was at the ice-cream fridge. The blast blew her out of the shop, and she was left on the doorstep. Leona found Leona’s friend in the rubble, and one of her legs was broken.
Another one of the victims has been identified as Catherine O’Donnell, who is understood to have died in the tragedy alongside her young son.
Catherine O’Donell, right (right), was believed to have been there with her son James, 14, when the explosion occurred at Applegreen stations station in Creeslough County Donegal
Jessica Gallagher, pictured with her mother and father in 2017, studied design at a university in Paris and she’d travelled extensively around Asia
After the explosion that killed a man at a petrol station near Applegreen, Donegal in a deadly accident, the emergency services responded immediately
Following a fuel explosion at a station in County Donegal, Friday afternoon, an incident of major importance was declared
Taoiseach Micheal Mart (right) inspects the site of the explosion at Applegreen, a service station located in Creeslough.
The disaster at Creeslough, County Donegal saw ten deaths.
Jessica Gallagher’s boyfriend was one of eight survivors who were admitted to hospital after the catastrophic explosion.
His condition is critical and he’s currently in the specialist burns unit.
Letterkenny University Hospital continues to treat the seven survivors. They all appeared to be in stable conditions last night.
Ian Joyce (local visual artist), who was close to Ms Gallagher’s family, stated that she is shocked. One of my friends was a young lady who lost her life in the explosion. My daughter knew her. After living in Paris for many years, she moved back to her native country. She was an artist.
“I have a great relationship with her family. They are talented artists and musicians. The community will be impacted by this.
According to Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian, Creeslough is undergoing a ‘nightmare of horror and shock’.
The bishop addressed the congregation at Sunday Mass at St Michael’s Church and said that the Creeslough people are currently in a state of horror. Friday’s deep wounds had left the community’s heart deeply hurt.
“It is an experience we share together. We also recognize that every individual’s trauma will be different. This is something we hold dearest, especially for those who are most affected.
“We first think of the 10 people who lost their lives, then we think of the closest to them who are suffering from the most terrible loss.
“And then, we think about the wounded who are still trying to heal in spirit and body. Both the victims and first responders to the disaster are thought of.
“And, we remember everybody here in Creeslough as well as throughout Ireland, who has been left feeling helpless by all that happened.”
Father John Joe Duffy light ten candles in red at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough County Donegal for the ten victims from the Applegreen explosion
Applegreen Service Station explosion: Emergency Services on the Scene
Cherry picker-operated emergency workers searching for missing and injured people
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar travelled to Creeslough last night to attend a service in memory of the victims near the scene.
Martin, speaking at the cordon near the blast site said there was deep sadness and terrible silence in the community. This is a reflection of the horrors that have occurred.
He said, “The whole nation is in deep mourning.” There was a young boy in the shop, and there were two teenagers. Also, there were men and women going about their daily lives.
“It’s a close-knit group and we are so sorry for their loss.
The Taoiseach said: “Talking to people on the front line, and everybody involved, they were deeply moved by how much support they received here nearly immediately.
“Many volunteers ran to the spot to offer assistance because of the horrific scene that they had just witnessed. It is important to remember to call 911 if you need it.
“I would like to express my gratitude for their help in helping the injured and trapped. The community needs our support.
If someone has suffered the loss of a close friend or family member, words alone won’t be enough. They need to be heard and supported by others. They will always be our companion.
Mary Lou McDonald (the leader of Sinn Fein in Ireland) visited Creeslough Saturday night, along with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, who was also there.
Later on, political leaders joined with emergency service workers and residents of the area to provide a service for victims at a local church.
The President Michael D Higgins stated that yesterday’s tragedy had been a devastating blow to an intimate community, where everyone will feel the loss of their loved ones and the impact on the wider community.
Flowers were placed at the Creeslough scene to pay respects.
J.J. McGowan is chief ambulance officer in the Northwest region and speaks with the media on the Creeslough station explosion
The tragedy has had a wide-reaching impact. Liz Truss, the UK Prime Minister, paid tribute to the victims of Donegal’s tragic death. I send my deepest sympathy to all the Creeslough families who lost their loved ones, as well as to those in the community.
Fr John Joe Duffy, a local parish priest appealed for prayers to ‘lift’ the community during its most difficult time.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains to be confirmed, speculations abound that it may have been caused by the gas cylinder located in the apartment next door to the garage.
Local woman who assisted a mother in identifying her child on the spot told the MoS, “I thought it was an Atomic Bomb and I was looking to find the plume.” It shook everything, and then all was quiet. The birds could no longer be heard. It was silent, there were no fires and it wasn’t smelly.
One woman commented, “My daughter thought that it was an accident.” She was not aware of what was happening.
Paul Stewart (who has served as Creeslough’s GP for over 22 years) said that the rescue was “horrific.” I grew up in Belfast through the Troubles and it reminded me of then – three floors collapsed into those poor people.
Creeslough is a small village on the north side of Ireland in County Donegal. It was home to 393 people in 2016.
“It took 15 minutes for services to arrive so neighbors and friends were trying to get people out of the debris. They managed to get a few people out, and some, despite the danger of being trapped, returned in.
We had to wait. It was obvious that there would be people still at home.
“This is a terrible tragedy. Dr Stewart explained that we have lost our friends and neighbors as well as loved ones.
‘It is going to take a long time to heal those scars, maybe years,’ he told RTÉ.
Investigating gardaí have described the blast as an accident but say they are still keeping an open mind.
Garda experts will be combing the area over the coming days to find the source of the explosion.
Charlie McConalogue (local TD) and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue (Agriculture Minister) paid tribute to local volunteers and community members who risked their lives in order to rescue the victims.
He told the MoS that members of his community had put their lives on the line to assist people. It takes you back to what was happening during the Troubles years earlier.
“Families endured a terrifying night. There have been many dark days in this area before.
“This is the darkest.”
Homes in Donegal are drowned by tears: Three children and seven adults were killed when a petrol station explosion wiped them out.
By Valerie Hanley
After the blast that ripped through Creeslough’s heart, no one could hear Creeslough on its main street.
The eerie silence that remained after the explosion was overheard was broken when seven of the victims, including three children, were removed from the rubble of the site. It was just before 1pm yesterday.
Then, the sound of an exhausted mother was all that could be heard.
She didn’t cry. She didn’t roar.
The scream was that of a woman who lost all she had ever loved in life: her son.
Even though there were dozens of people who gathered to assist the ambulance in transporting the body of the girl, 14 years old, to the waiting ambulance for treatment, no one could speak.
It was only the mother’s loud cries that made it clear she knew when she drove her daughter, aged 15, to school this Friday that she wouldn’t see her again.
Her remains were discovered near the ice cream refrigerator where she was when she had a great time in the Apple Green Garage and Shop at 3.20 p.m. on Friday.
After a quick stop at the shop, the friend of the girl went to her house with a plan to sleep over.
They both jumped in without any care and made it home together, but only one survived.
Her family was relieved to see her recovering from a broken leg after she was discovered in the rubble by the entrance.
The Irish Mail was told Sunday by a friend that the girls had gone to the shop for ice cream.
“They planned to have a sleepover. The shop’s front door was covered in rubble, and the girl was discovered with one broken leg.
“Her friend was discovered at the ice-cream fridge, where she went to get ice cream before heading to her friend’s home for a sleepover.
Ten people were killed in what transpired between the moment the two young girls went to the local shop and garage for their favourite icecreams.
The Garda technical staff will then be looking through all the debris in the garage to determine what happened.
However, whatever is discovered by the investigation, Cresslough won’t be the same.
While he struggled to keep the pain of his community, Fr John Joe Duffy the parish priest said: “The community is responding the best they could and I ask for prayers to help us get through this horrible tragedy.”
Fr Duffy stated that people around the world have offered prayers and contacted him. Our hearts are broken… some of those involved in the search and rescue were looking for people they know.
“We’re all lost. We ask God to help us get through it.
Fr Duffy was among a group of clergy who were present at the scene as details about the accident started to emerge Friday afternoon.
The emergency service used specialist dogs, hearing aids, and cameras to find survivors. Clerics from all faiths maintained a night watch until all bodies had been recovered.
David Kelly, local Garda Superintendent, paid tribute to everyone who helped to rescue eight survivors and retrieve the bodies from the 10 who had lost their lives.
Police used cranes and sniffer dogs to search the dark night for seven people who were believed to be dead.
Pictures show homes located above Ulster convenience store and petrol station being blown up by the blast
As members of the general public looked for people injured, rubble covered the ground
Supt. Kelly hesitated briefly before finally delivering his briefing at yesterday’s media briefing outside Milford Garda station.
He said, “Excuse me, if you get emotional,” to the crowd, and then recalled how he passed the site of the tragedy while driving to his meeting on Friday.
“Yesterday afternoon, I attended a Falcarragh meeting and was driving past the place where this occurred,” he said.
“Little did you know that I’d be standing here with you today.
‘It’s a tragedy for the community – there are families left devastated.’
Paying tribute to all members of the emergency services from Donegal and the North who helped, the community and to his own officers – many of whom worked throughout the past two days even though they were off duty – Supt Kelly added, ‘That is what it is to be in Donegal. Our mutual concern is our greatest strength.
Local Gardaí police and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) urged locals to avoid the area
Numerous emergency vehicles were on-hand, and the Coastguard helicopter also provided support
Creeslough has just 400 inhabitants. This beautiful valley is surrounded by Ards Forest and Sheephaven bay.
Bridie Galagher was the village’s most popular daughter, at least until this weekend. The Homes Of Donegal was her most well-known song. As the families of those who have lost loved ones prepare for burial, its closing lyrics are particularly poignant.
“It’s time to bid you farewell.
“For the open highway, I call me back to these things I do
“But when I’m traveling far, Your friendship is what I’ll remember.”
“And, please God, I will soon return to the homes of Donegal.”
“Like something that you might see in a movie.” As best as we could, we helped. It was hard to figure out where to start.
Stephen Maguire
Coffee shop manager Lori said that she was afraid she saw a bomb explode as Creeslough was rocked by the blast.
Siobhán Carr runs The Coffee Pod on the Wild Atlantic Campsite, just 100 yards from the scene of the Applegreen service station where the explosion killed three children and seven adults on Friday afternoon.
Leona Harper (14) was a 14-year-old girl who was purchasing ice cream. Jessica Gallagher (23), who moved from Paris to be with her family, was also killed. Catherine O’Donnell was 13 years old when she was also hurt. Five-year-old Leona Harper was the youngest victim. The father of the victim, who was in her 50s, was also murdered.
Ms. Carr is able to see from her window that the garage was leaking and can also see the rubble.
She described how the explosion shaken the village to the core when she first heard it. According to her, “We were only winding down for that day.” A few others were in the shop and there was a loud bang. All of them ran and saw what they could do.
“Everyone was just running to see what’s happening. Nobody knew the details. The people were simply trying to find ways to help. It is a wonderful community that’s so friendly and close. It was amazing to see the locals rushing in naked hands to remove rubble. The sight of it all unfolding and the sounds that were made by trapped people was horrifying.
Workers have received free beverages from Huckleberry and Coffee Pod since the horrible incident.
“We just want to offer as much comfort and support as we can.” Even if you are just coming to sit down.
“Throughout the night people came in constantly. This is a very busy place and a bustling shop. On a daily basis, we have many people at the campsite.
“We had to stop giving food away at one point. Many people have donated food from their villages and towns. People from all over the country have sent in stuff. Local man, who lived a short distance from the center of the explosion’s centre said that he experienced a “sonic boom” and was knocked from his chair.
Eamonn MacFadden was in Creeslough at the time, working at his laptop at the moment that the explosion took place.
It was like hearing a loud bang. Our core was rocked. It shaken the entire house and everyone in it.
It was difficult to express what it felt other than to say it was a sonic boom. He said it was unlike anything he’d ever seen before.
Eamonn claimed he had a feeling that something was ‘catastrophic. He ran for help and discovered devastation and destruction.
It was like a scene from a film. It was devastating. We helped the best that we could, as there were no emergency personnel on scene. It was very hard to find where to begin.