Tragic event in Creeslough: Sister demands explanations
In the picturesque town of Creeslough, County Donegal, the community is bracing itself for the third anniversary of a devastating explosion that claimed the lives of ten people, including 26-year-old fashion and marketing graduate, Jessica Gallagher, and her younger sister, Lisa Gallagher.
The tragedy, which occurred on October 7, 2022, has left the Gallagher family, along with the wider community, seeking answers that remain elusive. An Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force, is conducting an investigation into the explosion, with the intention of submitting a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The investigation is supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Despite the ongoing investigation, three years later, no official explanation has been provided as to the cause of the explosion. This lack of information has left the Gallagher family, and the community, "really being left in the dark," according to Lisa Gallagher. She has met with three cabinet ministers last October, seeking an independent inquiry into the Creeslough explosion.
The ministers communicated to the families their desire for the families to get answers about the loss of their loved ones. However, they did not rule out a public inquiry, but emphasized the importance of completing the garda investigation, the HSA investigation, and the CRU investigation first.
For Lisa Gallagher, the lack of answers has made it difficult to move forward. She finds it particularly challenging during this time of year, as Jessica's birthday is in late September, shortly before the anniversary of the explosion. "We're stuck nearly at stage one of grief because we don't have any answers about the explosion," she said.
Jessica Gallagher was described by her sister as "the life and soul of the party who was smart, funny, creative, and friends with everyone." Her loss has left a void in the community that remains unfilled.
Lisa Gallagher has also urged senior gardaí and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to ensure answers are delivered for bereaved families. She emphasized the need for political will and senior gardaí to push the investigation forward.
Recently, the An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned a decision made by Donegal County Council to grant Vivo/Shell Limited planning permission for the development of a new service station on the site of the explosion. This decision was welcomed among families of the victims, who have long expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with such a development so close to the site of the tragedy.
As the third anniversary of the Creeslough tragedy approaches, the community and the families of the victims continue to seek answers and justice. The investigation into the causes of the explosion is ongoing, coordinated from Milford Garda station, with the hope that the truth will eventually be revealed.
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