‘We are engulfed in grief’

Michael Olney & Niamh Áine Ryan

Cork city and county councillors have paid tribute to the 10 people who lost their lives after an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal.

The blast occurred on Friday at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough, taking the lives of 4 men, 3 women, a teenage boy and girl, and one younger girl.

Speaking at County Hall on Monday, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said the event has forever changed the lives of the people of Creeslough village and surrounding areas.

“It’s a sad day. Our thoughts and our prayers are with those people,” said the Mayor.

Cllr John Paul O'Shea described it as “an unimaginable tragedy. Just watching it on the news over the last couple of days has been just heart-breaking.”

A post on the Creeslough Community Association Facebook page read: “We are engulfed in grief as we mourn the loss of our family, friends and loved ones. Jessica Gallagher (24), Robert Garwe (50), and his daughter Shauna Flanagan (5), Leona Harper (14), Hughie Kelly (59), Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Martina Martin (49), Martin McGill (49), James O Flaherty (48). May your souls rest in peace. Go ndeánfaidh Dia trócaire orthu uilig. Our community has been shattered but our community spirit will remain strong.”

Meanwhile the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre Forde also opened a book of condolences in City Hall on Monday morning and offered her sympathies to the community during Monday evening’s Cork City Council meeting.

She said: “We are all aware of the tragedy which took place in Donegal.

“I know that each one of will agree that we send our support, our love and our condolences to those who lost their lives and their families. We will be there for any support that this council can give.”

Fine Gael Cllr Joe Kavanagh said the tragedy “shows how delicate life is” while Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Rose Desmond said her thoughts were with the council staff and emergency services who were dealing with the “harrowing events.”

She said she hoped those who were injured are recovering.