Candlelit vigil to be held in Derry for Creeslough explosion victims
10 people died in the tragedy in County Donegal
Last updated 10th Oct 2022
Hundreds of people have gathered at vigils in memory of the 10 people who died after an explosion tore through a petrol station and adjoining apartments in County Donegal.
One of those who died in the tragedy in Creeslough was 24 year old Jessica Gallagher, who was due to start a new job as a fashion designer in Belfast today.
Others who lost their lives include 5 year old Shauna Flanagan Garwe and her 50 year old dad Robert, 48-year-old James O'Flaherty, 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, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.
A man in his 20’s remains in a critical condition, while 7 other surviving casualties continue to receive hospital treatment and are in a stable condition.
A book of condolence will open in Derry’s Guildhall at 3pm this afternoon, followed by a candlelit vigil at 8pm.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Sandra Duffy said, “It has been a deeply sad weekend for the people of Donegal, Derry and Tyrone as we watched in disbelief details of the tragedy unfold in Creeslough.”
“There are no words for the sadness and grief we all feel. Our hearts are sore for the victim’s families and the wider community in Creeslough for their terrible loss. It’s a small rural community and for a tragedy of this magnitude to happen is just unthinkable.”
“On behalf of the people of Derry City and Strabane District, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to all those affected. I also want to acknowledge the work of the emergency services and the volunteers from both sides of the border who came together to work tirelessly all weekend as part of the rescue operation.”
“A Book of Condolence will be available for signing on Monday afternoon from 3pm in the Guildhall and also online via the Council website, and I am inviting people to come along to the Guildhall on Monday evening at 8pm to take part in a candlelit vigil to show their solidarity and support to the people of Creeslough. I think it is important that we extend our sympathies and messages of love to our closest neighbours at this terrible time and let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks ahead.”
The victims are:
Leona Harper, 14 years
Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 5 years
Robert Garwe, 50 years
Martina Martin, 49 years
Hugh Kelly, 59 years
Catherine O Donnell, 39 years and her son James Monaghan, 13 years
Martin McGill, 49 years
Jessica Gallagher, 24 years
James O'Flaherty, 48 years
Read More:
Tributes paid to 10 killed in Donegal petrol station explosion
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