Community Reflects on a Year of Heartache and Recovery After Deadly Blast

A year has passed since the catastrophic explosion in Creeslough, County Donegal, which tragically claimed the lives of 10 individuals. On October 7, 2022, the devastating blast killed four men, three women, and three young people, ages ranging from five to 59.

The local community gathered in remembrance, as a ceremony was held at the site of the explosion, with people coming together to honour those they lost. A mass was held at St Michael’s Church, where tributes were paid to the victims and thanks were given to the emergency responders who helped in the aftermath of the explosion.

Among those who died were Robert Garwe and his daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her son James Monaghan, fashion student Jessica Gallagher, Celtic supporter Martin McGill, Australian James O’Flaherty, shop assistant Martina Martin, carpenter Hugh ‘Hughie’ Kelly, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Andrew Forster, spoke of the pain that the community had endured over the last year, but also of the remarkable support people had shown each other. He stated that the village had witnessed “the best in people” during a time of profound heartache. Despite this, the underlying sense of grief and loss was still deeply felt by all.

Fr John Joe Duffy, the parish priest, said the day marked both a personal reflection on the lives lost and a reminder of the long road to healing. He noted that the journey of recovery would continue, acknowledging the ongoing grief and uncertainty. “We will travel it together,” he said, emphasising the unity of the community as they moved forward, bound by shared tragedy.

As of the anniversary, the cause of the explosion remains unclear, though investigations are still underway. Irish police are considering several theories, with a gas leak being one possibility. Authorities have processed hundreds of statements and pursued numerous lines of inquiry, with assistance from energy systems specialists.

Leading up to the anniversary, the families of the victims have asked for privacy, and politicians, including Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, expressed their condolences. Varadkar extended his thoughts and prayers to the community, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones and the community in Creeslough today and every day.” Martin added, “We remember the 10 lives lost, those injured, their families, and the entire community united in grief.”