A woman who lost her partner and young daughter in the devastating Creeslough explosion has voiced strong opposition to plans for a new petrol station located near the site of the blast. She described the decision as “morally and ethically wrong.”
The explosion, which tragically claimed the lives of 10 individuals, occurred at a service station in the County Donegal village on October 7, 2022. In a recent development, Donegal County Council approved a planning application for the construction of a new service station within the village, situated close to the original site of the disaster.
Family’s Grief and Opposition to Development
Áine Flanagan, whose partner Robert Garwe and daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe were among the victims, stated that the planning decision should not have been made while a criminal investigation into the blast remains ongoing. The emotional toll on her is profound, as she reflected on what should have been happier milestones for her daughter.
“Shauna was five when she died in the explosion,” Flanagan shared. “She would be nine in February, and she should be making her first holy communion with her classmates in May. That’s heartbreaking for me. I should be out shopping for a communion dress, and I’m not.”
She added, “It’s incredibly difficult, but for me, I have to fight for justice for them.” Flanagan highlighted the families’ frustration, noting they are advised to await the criminal investigation’s conclusions before pursuing other avenues of inquiry. “Every door we try to open is closed. Why isn’t it the same for planning?” she questioned.
Legal Perspective and Family’s Intentions
Solicitor Damien Tansey, who represents several of the bereaved families, characterized the planning decision as “insensitive and untimely.” He confirmed that the families intend to lodge an appeal against the approval.
“In the planning process, there has been no acknowledgement of the tragedy that occurred or the ongoing pain of the families,” Tansey commented.
This is not the first time development plans have faced opposition. Permission for a new construction project on the Creeslough site was granted last year but was subsequently overturned following an appeal lodged by the bereaved families.
Ongoing Investigation and Victims Remembered
To date, no official explanation has been provided for the definitive cause of the explosion. An initial investigation file was submitted to the Republic’s Director of Public Prosecutions last September by Gardaí, the Irish police force.
Creeslough Victims Identified
The 10 individuals who perished in the explosion comprised four men, three women, two teenagers, and a five-year-old girl. All were residents of the village or its surrounding areas.
The victims were: Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O’Flaherty; Martina Martin; Hugh Kelly; and 14-year-old Leona Harper.