Creeslough Grieves For Ten People Killed By Blast, Including Three Children

Garda investigation ongoing into cause of blast at petrol station as series of funerals to follow in Co Donegal village

A number of vigils have taken place in Donegal over the weekend, as the county comes to terms with the disaster which claimed 10 lives on Friday.

The explosion at the Applegreen service station, which shocked the closely-bound community, also claimed the lives of Catherine O’Donnell, (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Martin McGill (49), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50) and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe.

Catherine O’Donnell, (39) and her son James Monaghan (13).

Hundreds arrived at St Michael’s Church in Creeslough last night to say the rosary and sympathise with one another.

Most people are visibly upset or shocked with many greeting each other with long hugs. One person sat in bandages, having been injured in the explosion on Friday.

Loaves of bread, milk and fruit have been left at the back of the Church for people to grab on the way out, now that the village is without its shop.

The depth of the tragedy can be felt in this room, as the community come to terms with the explosion that has changed the Creeslough and its people forever.

The post mortem's of the 10 victims of the Creeslough disaster will take place this week.

The explosion in the small Donegal village has also left one man fighting for his life in St James’ Hospital in Dublin while others remain in a stable condition in Letterkenny University Hospital.

The first funeral will take place tomorrow when 49 year old Martin McGill will be laid to rest.

Martin McGill, 49.

48 year old James O’Flaherty will be buried in Magheragallon Cemetery following funeral mass on Wednesday, while the arrangements of the other victims are yet to be announced.

James O' Flaherty, 48.

These people attended evening prayers in Creeslough last night and say they can't describe the impact of the disaster on the village:

Reporter Mairead Cleary, spoke to us live from Donegal on this morning's Kildare Today:

Almost 300 thousand euro has been raised in a Go Fund Me for the victims in Creeslough.

Meanwhile, donations can be made to an Irish Red Cross fund at all post offices around the country from today.