Ireland has been rocked by the tragedy at Creeslough in the county.Donegalon Friday after an explosion at a gas station killed 10 and injured eight.
communityCreesloughwas devastated by the loss as they are now preparing for funerals for several victims this week.
With a population of around 400, Creeslough is a close-knit rural community and is considered a popular holiday destination, particularly with people from the Northern Irish border.
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Here's everything we know so far about what happened in Creeslough.
Friday, October 7th
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the sceneCreeslough, What. Donegal, which was home to several residential apartments and an Applegreen petrol station and grocery store, after an explosion was heard for miles around 3:20 pm.
Dozens of rescue workers arrived on the scene soon after, as operations began to locate survivors and possible dead.
Tractors removed the debris and sniffer dogs were used to remove the debris.
On Friday night, all machinery was temporarily shut down and all bystanders were asked to be quiet as rescuers tried to locate survivors under the wreckage.
Gardaí confirmed that three bodies were recovered from the rubble on Friday night.
Saturday, October 8
The rescue operation continued into Saturday morning before gardai confirmed four more deaths.
Two more deaths were announced in the morning and another death was reported in the afternoon.
Referring to the raid on Saturday afternoon, Garda spokesman Liam Geraghty said: "The 10 victims are four men, three women, two teenagers - a boy, a girl and a younger girl."
Gardai announced late on Saturday that the search operation had been completed.
Sunday, October 9
At a briefing on Sunday afternoon, a Garda spokesman said: "Garda Síochána continues to investigate all circumstances surrounding the cause of the fatal explosion at a facility in Creeslough, Co.DonegalFriday, October 7, 2022
"The Garda Technical Office, assisted by other services, will continue to investigate the site, which remains isolated. This research will probably continue in the coming days. The detours on the N56 at the site remain."
Gardaí confirmed that a 20-year-old man is still in critical condition at St. James from Dublin.
The other seven surviving victims are still being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital and remain in stable condition.
The ten people killed were identified by Gardaí on Sunday as James O'Flaherty, 48, Jessica Gallagher, 24, Martin McGill, 49, Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and senior James Monaghan. Son Hugh Kelly, 59, Martina Martin, 49, Robert Garwe, 50, and their five-year-old daughter, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, and Leona Harper, 14.
On Sunday afternoon, the first details of the victims' funeral were also given.
James O'Flaherty, 48
James O'Flaherty, who is from Dunfanaghy, Donegal and originally from Sydney, Australia, was taken to Roarty's funeral home in Derrybeg on Monday.
His funeral home says his remains will be interred from 1pm to 8pm, followed by praying the rosary.
On Tuesday, his remains will be laid to rest from 12.30pm to 5.30pm, after which he will be taken to his family home in Dunfanaghy for a night's rest.
His funeral will be held in St. Mary's Church, Derrybeg, Wednesday at 11am, with burial in Magheragallon Cemetery.
James is survived by his wife Tracey and son Hamish, brother John, sister-in-law Serena and their children Amber and Ebony, and extended family.
Monday, October 10th
Jessica Gallagher, 24
Details of Jessica Gallagher's funeral were announced on Monday morning.
Hundreds of people left heartfelt messages for the 24-year-old's family.
Jessica's funeral will take place on Tuesday, October 11th at 11am. in the church of s. Michael at Creeslough, "with subsequent burial at Doe Cemetery".
The family has asked for complete privacy in their home, where Jessica's body will rest before the funeral.
Jessica, a fashion and marketing graduate, was due to start a new job in Belfast on Monday.
Martin McGill, 49
Details of Martin McGill's funeral were also confirmed on Monday.
Tributes pour in online for a "wonderful" man with a "good soul" as his family and friends come to terms with a tragic loss.
Martin's remains will rest at his mother's residence at 3 St. Michael's Terrace, Cresslough, from 11am. on Monday, October 10th - asking for family time of up to 11:00am
His funeral will take place on Tuesday 11th October at 2pm at St Michael's Church in Creeslough and he will be interred in Doe Cemetery.
Catherine O'Donnell, 39 lat, James Monaghan, 13 lat
A mother and her son who tragically lost their lives in the Creeslough explosion on Friday will be buried together on Wednesday.
Catherine O'Donnell and her son James Monaghan were among those killed in the blast.
They will be buried Wednesday afternoon at Doe Cemetery, following a 2 p.m. funeral at St. Michael in Creeslough.
Catherine had just met James after getting off the school bus near the Applegreen complex. He was in line at the post office when the explosion occurred.
Further details about the remaining victims' funerals have yet to be announced.
Martina Martin, 49, a store employee described as "a ray of sunshine", Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 5, and her father Robert Garwe, 50, who was reportedly buying Shauna's mother a birthday cake at the time of the explosion , Hugh Kelly, 59, a popular construction worker, and Leona Harper, a 14-year-old rugby player who died getting ice cream at a petrol station before planning a sleepover with friends in Creeslough. he was buried in the following days.
Garda superintendent Liam Geraghty also confirmed on Monday night that the more technical details of the investigation would now begin as investigators try to determine the cause of the explosion.
He said: "The Garda investigation was launched following search and rescue operations.
“The investigation will take some time and in the next few days the Technical Office, other services and other departments of An Garda Siochána will be on site. This investigation will take some time and the investigation is to investigate the cause.
"There will be technical investigations, although there may not be the same level of activity that we saw during the search and rescue investigation, but these will continue as experts determine what we need to do."
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FAQs
What caused the tragedy in Creeslough? ›
Ten people, including two teenagers and a five-year-old girl, died when a suspected gas explosion caused an Applegreen shopping and apartment block to collapse in Creeslough in October last year. One of the men killed in the Creeslough tragedy, James O'Flaherty had been living in Dunfanaghy.
What happened in the Creeslough tragedy? ›The explosion occurred at 15:17 IST at an Applegreen petrol station and adjacent building, seriously damaging the forecourt and partially collapsing the adjoining building.
What caused explosion in Creeslough today? ›The blast destroyed an Applegreen service station and caused a section of an adjacent apartment block to collapse. Initial indications suggest it was caused by an issue with gas storage in an apartment beside the petrol station.
What major incident happened in Creeslough? ›A major search operation is continuing after three people were killed in an explosion at a service station in Co Donegal, Ireland. The blast happened just after 3pm on Friday at the Applegreen service station on the outskirts of Creeslough, where a search operation is continuing with the help of sniffer dogs.
What caused Donegal deaths? ›A moment of silence was held at the press conference at Milford Garda station for the 10 people who died in the explosion. Donegal Independent councillor John O'Donnell told BBC Radio Ulster that he understands the shocking incident was caused by a gas explosion.
When was the Creeslough tragedy? ›Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said he is hopeful of getting answers to what caused the tragic Creeslough tragedy. Ten people lost their lives when the Applegreen Service Station in the County Donegal village exploded on the afternoon of October 7th last.
Who was killed in Creeslough? ›Victims of the Creeslough explosion, (top row) Catherine O'Donnell, (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Martin McGill (49) and Jessica Gallagher (24), (middle row) James O'Flaherty (48), Martina Martin (49) and Hugh Kelly (59) and (bottom row) Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (14).
Who were the victims at Creeslough? ›The 10 people killed were named by police on Sunday as 48-year-old James O'Flaherty, 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher, 49-year-old Martin McGill, 39-year-old Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, 59-year-old Hugh Kelly, 49-year-old Martina Martin, 50-year-old Robert Garwe and his five-year-old ...
Who were the 10 deaths in Creeslough? ›The ten people who died in the explosion in Creeslough. Left: Catherine O Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13). Top left to right: Jessica Gallagher (24), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5). Middle row left to right: Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59) and Martin McGill (49).
Was the Creeslough explosion a bomb? ›“It is what we call a 'high brisance' explosion, that is very quick and with high force,” said Mr Jones, adding the force is the similar to the effect of “solid phase explosives, that is a bomb”.
Who are the victims of the Donegal? ›
The 10 victims (top row, left to right) Leona Harper, 14, Robert Garwe, 50, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, Jessica Gallagher, 24, and James O'Flaherty, 48, and (bottom row, left to right) Martina Martin, 49, Hugh Kelly, 59, Catherine O'Donnell, 39, her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, and Martin McGill, 49.
How many people died in the Creeslough tragedy? ›Friends and neighbours have paid tribute to the 10 people who were killed by a huge explosion at a petrol station in the Republic of Ireland.
Was the Creeslough explosion an accident? ›To date, there has been no suggestion that foul play was a factor in the explosion, with Gardaí treating the scene as a tragic accident.
What happened at Creeslough yesterday? ›Ten people, including a young child and two teenagers, are confirmed to have died following yesterday's explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal. Four men and three women died in blast, along with a teenage boy and girl and a girl of primary school age. Eight people were taken to hospital for treatment after the explosion.
Who was the father and daughter killed in Creeslough? ›Little Shauna Flanagan-Garwe was the youngest victim of the Creeslough tragedy which claimed ten lives. She died alongside her father Robert Garwe, whose arms were wrapped around his daughter when their bodies were recovered from the scene.
What is the name of the explosion in Creeslough? ›Leona Harper, 14, Robert Garwe, 50, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, Jessica Gallagher, 24, and James O'Flaherty, 48, and (bottom row, left to right) Martina Martin, 49, Hugh Kelly, 59, Catherine O'Donnell, 39, her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, and Martin McGill, 49, the ten victims of explosion at Applegreen service ...
What is the cause of most deaths in Ireland? ›Cancer and circulatory disease were the biggest causes of death in Ireland in Q2 2022 accounting for 5,152 (or 55.2%) of deaths compared with 3,848 (or 57.4%) in Q2 2021.
When did the Donegal earthquake happen? ›At 00:32 UTC on the Saturday, 6 May 2023 a magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 10 km. The event occurred near Glenveagh National Park in northwest Donegal, Ireland.
Where was the explosion in Donegal? ›They were among the 10 who died on Friday when an explosion destroyed an Applegreen service station and adjoining apartments outside the village of Creeslough, County Donegal, on Ireland's north-western tip.
Who was the man murdered in Buncrana? ›Seconds after being dragged from his bed on March 24, 1922, bar manager Edward McKinney was brutally slain in a Belfast mass execution which Winston Churchill branded “worse than cannibalism”.
Who was the youngest victim of Creeslough? ›
A five-year-old girl and her father who died together as they shopped for a birthday cake have been remembered “side by side” during their joint funeral service.
Who are the 10 people who died in Donegal? ›- James O'Flaherty (48)
- Jessica Gallagher (24)
- Martin McGill (49)
- Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13)
- Hugh Kelly (59)
- Martina Martin (49)
- Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5)
- Leona Harper (14)
All in their 20s, three of the men had been seeing the fourth off ahead of a move abroad. Clockwise from top left: Shaun Harkin, Daniel Scott, John Harley and Mícheál Roarty were killed in a single-vehicle road crash in Co Donegal on Sunday night.
What happened in Creeslough on Friday? ›A mother and her son, who tragically died in Friday's explosion in Creeslough, will be buried together on Wednesday. Catherine O'Donnell and her son James Monaghan were among those killed in the blast.
How did Leona Harper tragically lose her life yesterday in Creeslough? ›Leona Harper's body was found by a digger driver after a 24-hour search, following an explosion in the small Irish village. The father of a teenager killed in the Creeslough explosion has described her as a "little gem".
What was the biggest deaths in history? ›Table ranking "History's Most Deadly Events": Influenza pandemic (1918-19) 20-40 million deaths; black death/plague (1348-50), 20-25 million deaths, AIDS pandemic (through 2000) 21.8 million deaths, World War II (1937-45), 15.9 million deaths, and World War I (1914-18) 9.2 million deaths.
Who were the 4 Idaho deaths? ›The four slain students were Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. Court documents -- including an 18-page affidavit -- released on Jan. 5 revealed how police zeroed in on their suspect: Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.
Who were the 7 killed in Moorhead MN? ›The family members who died were identified as Belin Hernandez, 37; Marleny Pinto, 34; Eldor Hernandez Castillo, 32; Mariela Guzman Pinto, 19; Breylin Hernandez, 16; Mike Hernandez, 7, and Marbely Hernandez, 5. They all lived together, police said. Moorhead police said it has concluded its investigation.
What is the biggest explosion to ever happen? ›Tsar Bomba (in Russian, Царь-бомба) is the Western nickname for the Soviet RDS-220 (РДС-220) hydrogen bomb (code name Vanya). Detonated by the Soviet Union on October 30, 1961, Tsar Bomba is the largest nuclear device ever detonated and the most powerful man-made explosion in history.
What was the biggest explosion in America? ›The 1947 Texas City disaster was an industrial accident that occurred on April 16, 1947, in the port of Texas City, Texas, United States, located in Galveston Bay. It was the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history and one of history's largest non-nuclear explosions.
What was the name of the bomb that caused the largest man made explosion ever? ›
The Tsar Bomba (Russian: Царь-бо́мба) (code name: Ivan or Vanya), also known by the alphanumerical designation "AN602", was a thermonuclear aerial bomb, and the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created and tested.
What happens to the human body in a gas explosion? ›Gas-containing sections of the GI tract are most vulnerable to primary blast effect. This can cause immediate bowel perforation, hemorrhage (ranging from small petechiae to large hematomas), mesenteric shear injuries, solid organ lacerations, and testicular rupture.
Can you smell a gas leak? ›Since natural gas doesn't actually smell like anything, a chemical called mercaptan is added to help you detect a leak. Mercaptan has a very distinct and unpleasant odor that many people compare to the smell of rotten eggs.
Does gas expire? ›Gasoline can last between three months and three years depending on the type of gas and if it is properly stored. It's important to note while all gas will naturally begin to degrade over time thanks to exposure to oxygen (also known as oxidation), all gas is not created equal.
Who is Donegal Daddy? ›Micheál Brennan, aka Donegal Daddy, recreated the designer latex suit for a fraction of the price using something nearly everyone has at home. With the help of his wife, Micheál recorded himself putting on an outfit made out of bin bags before his wife kindly inflated his costume with a hairdryer.
Who is the missing man in Donegal? ›Cian Langelaan (27) was last seen on the evening of September 24, 2020. His last known location was Horn Head, Dunfanaghy.
What was the cause of the Donegal fire? ›A gas leak is thought to be the most likely cause of the blast which destroyed the village's only shop, as well as apartments overhead.
What were the names of the deaths in Creeslough? ›Victims of the Creeslough explosion, (top row) Catherine O'Donnell, (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Martin McGill (49) and Jessica Gallagher (24), (middle row) James O'Flaherty (48), Martina Martin (49) and Hugh Kelly (59) and (bottom row) Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (14).
Who died in Donegal? ›| Name | Town | Published |
|---|---|---|
| McDermott, William (Willie) | Ballybofey | 05/06/23 |
| Glackin (née Griffin), Catherine (Kathleen) | Mountcharles | 04/06/23 |
| Haughey (née Maloney), Bríd | Glencolmcille | 03/06/23 |
| Russell, Thomas | Letterkenny | 03/06/23 |
A gas explosion is characterised by the fact that the fire that caused the explosion is dampened at the moment of the explosion. This means that, as a rule, there is no fire after a gas explosion.
How did the famine affect Donegal? ›
Clothing was meagre and wretched; furniture in the hovels was pitiful and bedding was scare. Living conditions were overcrowded and smoky. Despite the 1838 Act providing relief for the poor, very little impact was felt by the starving and diseased population.
Was Donegal affected by the troubles? ›DONEGAL, DURING WHICH 70 PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND PROTESTANT CHURCHES, BUSINESSES AND HOMES ATTACKED? July 1972 was the worst month of the bloodiest year of the Northern Ireland conflict. As violence intensified, many in the Republic feared that the 'Troubles' were spilling over into the South.
How many are dead in Donegal? ›The names of the 10 people killed by an explosion at a petrol station in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland have been confirmed. The victims of Friday's disaster include five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe and her dad Robert Garwe, 50. Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her son James Monaghan, 13, also died.
How many are dead in Creeslough? ›Friends and neighbours have paid tribute to the 10 people who were killed by a huge explosion at a petrol station in the Republic of Ireland.
How do I find out who died? ›- Church records of deaths and burials.
- City and County civil registrations.
- Family Bibles and personal histories.
- FamilySearch in the Catalog Search, Records Search, and Historic Books.
- Google and other web site search sites, and don't forget to search Google Books.
- Start an Online Search. Arguably the best way to find out whether or not someone you know has passed is to begin an online search. ...
- Check Social Media. ...
- Use Word of Mouth. ...
- Read The Paper or Watch The Local News. ...
- Go To An Archive Facility. ...
- Review Government Records.
Bridget "Bridie" Gallagher (7 September 1924 – 9 January 2012) was an Irish singer, affectionately known as "The Girl from Donegal". She has been described as "Ireland's first international pop star".
What happens if fire touches gasoline? ›GASOLINE SAFETY:
Gasoline vapors are heavier than air; they flow invisibly along the ground and can ignite from a flame, spark, hot surface or static electricity causing a shattering explosion.
A lit cigarette is hot enough to ignite natural gas. Matches, lighters, and even the sparks generated by the starter or alternator of motor vehi- cles can ignite natural gas.