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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

Son of Creeslough tragedy victim narrowly escaped death as he waited in car for dad, funeral hears

The funerals of the ten victims killed in the horrific Creeslough tragedy, which has rocked the country, will continue today.

James O'Flaherty, a 48-year-old engineer originally from Sydney, living in Dunfanaghy with his wife and son, was taken to Teach Pobail Mhuire in the Gaeltacht village of Na Doirí Beaga this morning for funeral mass.

Hundreds of people turned out in the small village to pay their respects to James, who was described as a "great father and partner" who did everything he could for his family.

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Mourners also heard how James' 12-year-old son Hamish narrowly avoided death as he sat in the car outside while his dad popped into the shop before the devastating blast.

Gifts were presented to the altar at the beginning of the mass to reflect James' life.

James O'Flaherty, 48 years (Gardai)

A Roald Dahl book, "Going Solo", was presented as James and his son had been reading the book together before his untimely death.

A box of chocolates was also brought forward to reflect James' sweet tooth.

President Michael D Higgins attended the funeral and will also attend the funerals of mother-and-son Catherine O'Donnell and 13-year-old James Monaghan in Creeslough later on Wednesday.

The emotional funerals of two other victims, Jessica Gallagher and Martin McGill, took place on Tuesday.

Fashion designer Jessica Gallagher was the first of the ten victims to be laid to rest.

Jessica Gallagher, 24 years (gardai)

Jessica died after she had been visiting her boyfriend, who is in critical care in St James' Hospital in Dublin, in an apartment on Friday above the Applegreen service station when the explosion occurred.

Fr John Joe Duffy told the funeral mass that Jessica "radiated a warm and positive feeling" to everyone she met.

The priest explained that she was the "jewel" of her family and "lit up the room".

Martin McGill, a 49-year-old devoted carer, was also laid to rest on Tuesday.

Undated handout photo issued by An Garda Siochana of Martin McGill, 49, one of the ten victims of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal (PA Media)

He was described as a huge Celtic fan who spent much of his life caring for others.

Martin moved from his native Scotland in 2001 to care for his mother in the Donegal village.

He would often visit the Applegreen Service Station to get supplies for his mother and others in the local area.

Hundreds attended his funeral mass and were told that he would now be united with his father, Joe, in heaven.

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