Creeslough anniversary: ‘The journey of recovery will continue for all of us for a long time to come’

Shortly after 3pm on October 7 last year, a massive explosion ripped through an apartment and retail complex in the small County Donegal village, killing ten people.

Several hundred people gathered at the scene yesterday afternoon to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.

In the hours and days which followed the explosion, many people spoke about the silence which descended on Creeslough.

One year on, that silence remains.

There was little chat as people made their way to the memorial service.

People are still struggling to come to terms with the devastation visited last year upon their village which sits in a stunning landscape in the foothills of Muckish Mountain.

Father John Joe Duffy, the parish priest of Creeslough, told those gathered at the memorial service the “journey of recovery” for those affected by the tragedy would continue for “a long time to come”.

“The last year has been a difficult journey,” said Fr Duffy, who was widely praised for his leadership within the local community in the wake of the explosion.

“A journey of mourning, a journey of healing, a journey of learning to cope, particularly for those that this tragedy took ten beautiful souls from.

“And for those also who were injured in body and all of us who were injured in mind on that day.

“The journey of recovery will continue for all of us for a long time to come.

“Unlike most journeys that we set out on life, in this journey of Creeslough, we know neither the length nor the duration of the road ahead.

“But we know we will travel it together, each of us together linked together.”

The youngest victim of the Creeslough explosion was five-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, who had gone to the shop with her dad Robert (50) to buy a birthday cake for her mum.

They had been taken there by 59-year-old Hugh Kelly, the oldest person to die in the tragedy.

Among the others who died were; Jessica Gallagher (24), a young fashion designer who was due to start a new job in Belfast the week after the explosion; Martin McGill (49), an avid Celtic fan who was dedicated to caring for his mother; and James O’Flaherty (48), who was originally from Australia and was described at his funeral as a “great man” by his 12-year-old son Hamish.

The others who died were: Martina Martin (49), who worked in the shop and was a popular figure in the village; Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, who had been in local post office when they died; and 14-year-old Leona Harper, a talented young sportswoman who had “shone brightly” throughout her short life.

All of those who died lived in Creeslough or the surrounding area.

Their families were joined at today’s memorial service by members of the emergency services and rescue teams who worked frantically in the aftermath of the explosion to recover the dead and injured.

Special thanks was given at the service for those involved in the rescue efforts last year.

During the service, a bell was rung ten times to mark the exact time of the explosion.

As the chimes rang out, the sun fought its way through a largely grey sky to shine down on those gathered in Creeslough.

A minute’s silence was also held in memory of those who died.

“We all remember where we were this time last year,” said Fr Duffy.

“Everyone knew where they were when they heard this news.

“News of uncertainty at first and disbelief. Then all of a sudden we were in the eyes of whole world.”

He continued: “As a community we have been carrying each other.

“The families who have been bereaved, holding on to each other, holding on to those around them.

“We have been helped by this community and I can honestly say I have been helped by very much also by the families of those who have been bereaved and by those who were injured by reaching out to me for comfort, as you have been to one another.

“For we are all a family – the family of the Creeslough tragedy.”

Fr Duffy highlighted the support Creeslough had received in the past year from throughout the country – and urged people to keep the village in their thoughts.

“I ask you the people of Ireland who have responded to us from your homes by sending us thousands of cards and messages to continue to keep us in your prayers for the journey that lies ahead.

“The first anniversary is a day of great sadness but also personal reflection, a day of fond memories of loved ones who were lost in the tragedy.

“This day is another step on the long journey ahead.”

A special Mass in memory of those who died is due to be held tonight at St Michael’s Church in Creeslough.

Ten candles in honour of the victims were lit on the altar during the Mass.

Part of the complex where the explosion happened remains standing – to the frustration of many local people who would like to see it completely demolished.

New hoarding was this week erected around the site in advance of yesterday’s memorial service.

While the explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak, the garda investigation into what happened has still to be concluded.

The investigation is based in a special incident room at Milford garda station a few miles from Creeslough.

As well as local officers, members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Garda Síochána Analysis Service and Garda Technical Bureau are also involved.

Gardai say they have so far examined 1,350 “lines of enquiry” and taken more than 900 statements during the investigation.

“An Garda Síochána continues to work diligently and as expeditiously as possible, in the circumstances, to ensure that all the circumstances of this fatal explosion are professionally investigated,” a spokesperson said.

President Michael D Higgins attended some of the funerals of the Creeslough victims and today said the remembrance event is a “great tribute” to the lives lost.

“Having had the privilege of sharing the incredible grief that was visited on the people of Creeslough a year ago, I want to wish them success with all the resilience they have shown and need. It is so appropriate that this occasion is being remembered as a great tribute not only to those who were lost, but to the community that had held them at its heart.”