The youngest victim of the Creeslough explosion was found with her daddy’s arms around her when their bodies were recovered by emergency workers, her uncle revealed.
Little Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, and her father Robert Garwe, 50, lost their lives in the blast at the Applegreen filling station in Creeslough, Donegal last Friday.
Shauna, who had just begun primary school a few weeks ago, and her dad had gone to get mum Aine a birthday cake.
Shauna’s uncle Killian Flanagan told how his sister Aine has been “incredibly strong” in the wake of losing her only child and partner.
He explained that she is taking comfort from the unity and support the community has shown but also that doting Shauna was found in her dad’s arms when their bodies were recovered from the scene.
Killian said: “The other bit of comfort she’ll take I hope is that the emergency workers told her that Shauna and Robert were found with Robert’s arms around Shauna.
“She was wrapped in her daddy’s care and her daddy’s embrace. And please god, that still remains and he’s keeping her safe wherever they are.”
Asked how mum Aine was doing, Killian told ITV News: “She’s lost her only child and partner. This is devastating.
“But as I said, she’s so strong. A lesser person wouldn’t be able to do what she’s doing at the moment. She knows that Shauna is in her daddy’s arms.”
He added: “Shauna started school a few weeks ago, five years of age, the most charming and beautiful girl.
“You can picture the most mischievous, most lovable five-year-old, think of that and multiply it by two - that was Shauna.”
Shauna loved the company of her dad Robert and they were always out and about together.
The schoolgirl had been sick the day of her mum’s birthday last week so they had decided to celebrate it on Friday.
Killian explained: “She loved the celebration of every small thing at that age.
“And it was her mum’s birthday last week.
“Shauna had a little sniffle. She didn’t go to school on the day of the birthday.
“So they said let’s celebrate it on Friday. And she plagued and plagued and plagued Robert to take her to the shop to buy a birthday cake for her mum so they could get home and blow out the candles. And he did.
“And unfortunately, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Killian said tragic Robert, originally from Wedza in Zimbabwe, was a “lovely” man who loved the outdoors.
Robert previously lived in Dublin and worked in construction.
Killian added: “There’s no other way to describe this except as an awful human tragedy. The area is devastated. It’s beyond belief.
“You can use all the expressions we all use but this truly is without explanation.”
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced for the father and daughter.
Meanwhile, Ireland and Everton footballer Seamus Coleman paid an emotional tribute to all 10 victims of Creeslough tragedy.
The Donegal native said: “I’d like to offer my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones at the devastating tragedy in Creeslough, Co Donegal.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families, the injured and the entire community.
“Having been born and raised in the county, I know first-hand how tight-knit the communities are.
“The immediate reaction of the emergency services, local residents and passers-by who put themselves at right to help others is an example of the spirit and togetherness of the entire county.
“May the 10 people who have lost their lives rest in peace: Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Robert Garwe, Leonar Harper, Hugh Kelly, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O’Flaherty, Martina Martin, Catherin O’Donnell, James Monaghan.”
As funerals continue today, candle-lit vigils are also taking place across Donegal.
Books of condolence have also been opened in towns and cities across Ireland.
A GoFundMe for the grieving relatives of those who died has reached over €360,000.
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