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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Hand

Minute's silence at scene of Creeslough explosion one week on as community grieves

A mourning community gathered at the scene of an explosion for a minute's silence at 3.18pm - exactly a week on from when the blast claimed 10 lives.

Survivors of the tragedy as well as relatives who lost loved ones arrived at the garda cordon outside the Applegreen shop in Creeslough, Donegal this afternoon.

Bishop of Raphoe Alexander McGuckian led prayers after the minute's silence, with parish priest John Joe Duffy present.

Read More: Oldest victim of Donegal explosion was in remission after cancer battle, funeral hears

Afterwards, people embraced and hugged each other, with some left in tears.

Teachers from the local Creeslough primary school also left a balloon and flowers at the scene on behalf of their pupils.

Staff from the local Creeslough NS leave a tribute during a minute's silence held at the scene in Creeslough, Co Donegal (Mick O'Neill)

Ten people died and eight were injured in the horrific blast, which is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak.

Speaking at the scene, Fr John Joe told how he went with President Michael D Higgins to visit the families of Jessica Gallagher, 24, and 49-year-old Martin McGill, who both died in the explosion.

Fr John Joe Duffy talks to the media prior to a minute's silence held at the scene in Creeslough, Co Donegal (Mick O'Neill)

President Higgins was out of the country on Tuesday when Jessica and Martin's funerals took place but came to Creeslough upon his return, attending each one since and is set to attend the final one tomorrow.

And Fr John Joe said: "This community is coping with the help and support of people from around the country, from the UK and from around the globe.

"From the bottom of my heart, I would like to send a message out to people, particularly to our own people who are away from home but would want to be here - I thank you."

He added: "We were just visiting two of the families with President Higgins and we were talking in Jessica Gallagher's house, one of the funerals which President Higgins couldn't attend.

"I was telling the President that one of Jessica's first projects in school was making a model of Big Ben.

"And how appropriate it was that King Charles and the Queen consort also sent a message to a community they pretty much know and visited nearby here.

"The President said that message was very personable compared to the messages you would get going from a head of state to another head of state."

Fr John Joe came down to the scene last Friday as carnage unfolded.

He said: "Some people ask me 'how do you keep going in this situation?'

Members of the public pay tribute during a minute's silence held at the scene in Creeslough, Co Donegal (Mick O'Neill)

"I arrived here and I just saw the enormity of what was beginning to happen before our eyes this time last week as bodies were being carried out from the terrible devastation that was here.

"I was just shellshocked. And I was only standing back."

Those who died were 48-year-old James O'Flaherty, 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher, 49-year-old Martin McGill, 39-year-old Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan.

Hugh Kelly, 59, 49-year-old Martina Martin and 14-year-old Leona Harper also lost their lives as did 50-year-old Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe.

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