Technical examinations are expected to continue today in Creeslough, Co Donegal, following an explosion at a service station on Friday in which ten people died.
The four men, three women and three young people, aged between five and 59, who died were officially named yesterday.
Gardaà say an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion will take some time.
The body of 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher, a young fashion designer, was the first to return to Creeslough last night.
The remains of James O’Flaherty will be removed from Letterkenny at noon today and his funeral will take place on Wednesday.
It is the start of what will be an extremely tough week for the families of those killed in Friday’s explosion, with funeral after funeral taking place – part of the nightmare of shock and horror that Bishop Alan McGuckian said this community is now living through.
Yesterday, numerous vigils were held across Co Donegal with communities showing their solidarity with those at the heart of this tragedy and this evening a candle lit vigil will be held at the Guild Hall in Derry, where a book of condolence will open this afternoon.
Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to all those suffering following the explosion.
In a message to the Bishop of Raphoe, he said he was saddened to learn of the loss of life and the destruction caused by the blast in the village.
A statement read: “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the explosion in Creeslough and he expresses his spiritual closeness to all those suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy.
“While entrusting the deceased to the merciful love of almighty god, His Holiness implores the divine blessings of consolation and healing upon the injured, the displaced and the families coping with pain of loss.
“As a pledge of strength and peace in the lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing to all the people of Ireland.”
The ten people, including three children, who died in the explosion at the Applegreen Service Station and apartment block have been named as Catherine O’Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe; 14-year-old Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher, 24; James O’Flaherty, 48; Martin McGill, 49; Martina Martin, 49, and 59-year-old Hugh Kelly.
Eight people were taken to hospital following the explosion. A man in his 20s remains in a critical condition in St James’s Hospital in Dublin.
The seven other people are being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital and are said to be in stable condition.
Post-mortem examinations are being carried out at LUH on those who died under the direction of Assistant State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers and are expected to continue over the next few days.
Gardaà are continuing to investigate the cause of the blast but the evidence so far, they say, is pointing towards a tragic accident.
Funeral details for three of the victim’s of Friday’s tragedy have been released.
A death notice published online this morning said the funeral mass for Jessica Gallagher will take place in St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, tomorrow morning at 11am with interment afterwards in Doe Cemetery.
The funeral of Martin McGill, who was from Creeslough, will take place tomorrow at 2pm, also in St Michael’s Church in the town.
A death notice published online said he will he be sadly missed by his mother, sisters and extended family.
The funeral of James O’Flaherty, from Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, will take place on Wednesday in St Mary’s Church, Doirà Beaga.
A death notice said he will be sadly missed by his wife and son, as well as by his brother and extended family.
Read more: ‘People were wrenching corrugated iron with their bare hands’
The human lives cut short in Creeslough tragedy
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste met those who were injured in the explosion during a visit to Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday.
Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar were accompanied by Minister for Agriculture and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue.
Gardaà said yesterday that emergency services do not expect any more casualties at the scene and that no one else is unaccounted for.
Emergency services were on the scene within ten minutes of the blast, which happened at around 3.20pm.
They arrived to find huge concrete blocks, debris and rubble where the building that contained a shop, hairdressers and a number of apartments once stood.
The huge rescue operation involved the Irish Coast Guard, the Coast Guard rescue helicopter 118, Irish Air Corps 112, the Northern Ireland Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Northern Ireland Search and Rescue, Donegal Mountain Rescue, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service heart team, Donegal County Council Civil Defence as well as dozens of people from the community in Creeslough.
Technical examinations after Creeslough explosion
Source: Viral Trends Report
0 Comments