Rev John Joe Duffy speaking at a commemoration and remembrance service in Creeslough, Donegal on the first anniversary of the explosion at a service station which killed 10 people.(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

People of Creeslough will 'always remember' those who died in explosion, mass hears

Parish Priest Father John Joe Duffy told the packed congregation at St Michael’s Church the entire community in Donegal felt the loss and pain

by · Irish Mirror

The people of Creeslough will “always remember” those who died in an explosion there two years ago, a memorial Mass heard yesterday.

Parish Priest Father John Joe Duffy told the packed congregation at St Michael’s Church the entire community in Co Donegal felt the loss and pain.

The service was held ahead of the second anniversary of the blast that ripped through a petrol service station on Friday, October 7, 2022.

READ MORE: Priest asks nation to remember Creeslough victims at exact time of tragedy on eve of second anniversary

READ MORE: Garda probe into Creeslough tragedy close to completion, Commissioner Drew Harris confirms

Father Duffy said: “We offer this Mass... asking Creeslough to give comfort and consolation to you, their families and loved ones. St Paul said it is a great thing to remember our loved ones, but you remember them every minute of every day.

“We as a community would like to let you know that we also remember them, we will always remember them, and we walk with you in your pain. We cannot take your pain, but we walk beside you. We pray that our presence may give you a little help and a little hope.”

Parish priest Father John Joe Duffy outside St Michael's church in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where they have opened a book of condolence for the victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station

The blast at an Applegreen shop claimed the lives of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her son James Monaghan, 13. Also killed were James O’Flaherty, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, Hugh Kelly, Martina Martin and Leona Harper, 14.

The families will gather at the site tomorrow and the church bell will ring out in memory of the victims at 3.17pm, the time of the tragedy.

Earlier this week Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said a file of investigation into the explosion is nearing completion, as nine of the families renewed their calls for a public inquiry into the incident.

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