The heartbroken father of teenager Leona Harper who died in the Creeslough explosion has said he still can’t believe she is gone as he thanked everyone for their outpouring of love.
Hugh Harper said the 14-year-old’s death has left a huge void in their life that can’t be filled.
In heartfelt messages on Facebook, Hugh said how much the teenager is missed following her death.
He said: “It’s so hard to believe she has gone.
“We miss her so, so much. Our home is a very different place without her. I hope she is resting in peace.
“Losing a child is the worst pain anyone could live with. I hope and pray that no one else will ever find out what this feels like.
“So myself, Donna, Jamie and Anthony would like to say thank you to all of you that sent us letters, cards and messages.
“We have read every single one of them. Some of them were very simple and some had letters with them. They all had the same meaning.
“We have so many people and organisations to thank, we really don’t know where to start.
“So I will start here. Thank you all very much.”
Devastated Hugh also thanked a singer Chelsea Evans who has dedicated one of her songs on an upcoming album to the victims of the tragedy.
Any money raised from the sale of the single is going to the Creeslough Community Support Fund which was set up to help those bereaved, injured, made homeless or left without income as a result of the tragedy.
Hugh added: “A talented local singer Chelsea Evans has dedicated one of her songs from her new album in memory of the 10 people who lost their lives in Creeslough.
“All money raised from buying the single will go to the Creeslough fund.
“The fund is providing on the ground aid to people who need it the most. People who have lost their homes, their jobs, and more importantly supporting families who have a loved one in a local hospital or hospitals further away from home.
“I’d like to thank Chelsea for her kind generosity.”
In total, 10 people, including two teenagers and a child, were killed when a suspected gas explosion caused an Applegreen service and shopping complex in Creeslough in Co Donegal to collapse at 3.20pm on Friday, October 7. Apart from Leona, the other victims who died in the tragedy were Catherine O’Donnell, 39, and her son James Monaghan, 14, Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe.
Also killed were Jessica Gallagher, 24, James O’Flaherty, 48, Martin McGill, 49, Martina Martin, 49, and 59-year-old Hugh Kelly.
Detectives investigating the cause of the Creeslough explosion have travelled as far as Spain and England to interview people in relation to the blast.
Officers are still working gathering information in a bid to build up a comprehensive picture of Creeslough in the hours both before and after the blast.
Gardai have confirmed more than 500 lines of enquiry have been pursued and more than 300 statements have been taken.
Last week, the village’s main N56 road outside the Applegreen Service Station at the centre of the investigation reopened along with local businesses.
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