Four years after the Creeslough explosion claimed 10 lives, families gathered at the Donegal site to remember those who died and renew calls for a public inquiry. Relatives said they continue to live with unanswered questions about what happened on October 7th, 2022.
Creeslough families ask for truth and accountability
Hundreds of people, including bereaved families, emergency responders, senior gardaí and elected representatives, attended a memorial service in Creeslough on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026.
The gathering marked the fourth anniversary of the explosion, which killed 10 people aged between five and 59. Prayers were held at the scene, where a period of heavy rain gave way to sunshine. At 3.17pm—the time the blast occurred—the village fell silent.
For the families, the anniversary was not only a time to remember loved ones but also a reminder that they have now entered a fifth year without them.
Ten people died in the 2022 explosion
The victims were:
- Leona Harper, aged 14
- Robert Garwe, aged 50
- Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, aged five
- Jessica Gallagher, aged 24
- James O’Flaherty, aged 48
- Martina Martin, aged 49
- Hugh Kelly, aged 59
- Catherine O’Donnell, aged 39
- James Monaghan, aged 13
- Martin McGill, aged 49
The victims included two children and a mother and son, as well as a father and daughter. Their names were read aloud during the service by Fr John Joe Duffy in the order in which they were pronounced dead following the tragedy.
Families describe grief that has not eased
Áine Flanagan, who lost her partner Robert Garwe and their daughter Shauna, said the family members deserved answers about what happened that afternoon.
She described life without them as painful and said she missed them every day. Her comments reflected the continuing grief experienced by relatives as the anniversary brought the events of 2022 back into public focus.
Donna Harper also spoke about the death of her daughter Leona, who was 14 when she was killed after entering the garage for an ice cream. Harper recalled waiting near the scene for almost 24 hours while hoping her daughter would be found alive.
She said the pain had not become easier with time and argued that the families could not move forward without understanding the cause and circumstances of the explosion.
“We need answers, we need to know what happened, why it happened, how it happened,” Harper said.
Her husband Hugh said he still thinks about his daughter constantly. He told those gathered that although life had changed, Leona remained present in the family’s memories.
Renewed call for a public inquiry
Hugh Harper appealed to the Government to establish a public inquiry examining every possible factor that may have allowed the tragedy to happen. He said the purpose should be to prevent another family from experiencing a similar loss.
The request for a public inquiry is now central to the families’ campaign for answers. A public inquiry could provide a formal process for examining the circumstances surrounding the explosion, identifying any failures and considering what measures might reduce the risk of a similar incident in the future.
The families’ call comes as Ireland continues to examine how major public tragedies are investigated and how lessons are acted upon. The Stardust Victims’ Committee and members of the Bloody Sunday Trust attended the remembrance service in solidarity.
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Community remembers the victims
Fr Duffy told the gathering that grief does not end and that people move through bereavement at different speeds. His remarks recognised that, while the families share a collective experience, each person’s journey is individual.
Emergency service personnel who responded on the day also attended the service. Their presence acknowledged the lasting effect of the tragedy on those who worked at the scene, as well as on the wider community.
Creeslough remains a close-knit Donegal village, and the annual commemoration provides an opportunity for residents to stand alongside the victims’ relatives. The silence at 3.17pm served as a shared act of remembrance for the people who died.
What happens next?
The families are continuing to seek a public inquiry from the Government. At the time of the fourth-anniversary commemoration, the source information did not indicate that an inquiry had been established.
The next stage will depend on any Government response and on whether a formal process is announced to examine the explosion’s cause, the events leading up to it and the lessons that should be applied. Until then, relatives say the absence of answers remains part of their grief.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Creeslough tragedy happen?
The explosion happened in Creeslough, County Donegal, on October 7th, 2022, at approximately 3.17pm.
How many people died?
Ten people died in the explosion. Their ages ranged from five to 59.
Why are families seeking a public inquiry?
Families say they need clear answers about what happened, why it happened and how it was allowed to occur. They also want lessons to be identified so that a similar tragedy is not repeated.
Who attended the fourth-anniversary service?
Bereaved families, local residents, emergency service members, senior gardaí, Donegal County Council representatives, the Stardust Victims’ Committee and the Bloody Sunday Trust attended the commemoration.
Conclusion
Four years on, the Creeslough tragedy remains a deeply painful chapter in Ireland’s recent history. The memorial service honoured the 10 people who died, but it also made clear that remembrance alone is not enough for the families. Their central message is unchanged: they need the truth, accountability and assurances that lessons will be learned. The future of this Breaking News Ireland story now rests partly on whether the Government responds to the call for a public inquiry.
