BISHOP of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster has appealed to people to keep the village of Creeslough in their prayers.
Rev Forster also paid tribute to the emergency services to whom we “owe an enormous debt of gratitude”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the terrible tragedy in Creeslough. The community there will be scarred by this incident for many years to come,” said Bishop Forster.
“I ask people to keep the bereaved and injured in their prayers, and to remember, too, members of the emergency services – and the people of Creeslough – who have been doing their utmost to save lives. We, as a community, owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.
“It is essential that the cause of Friday afternoon’s explosion is established as quickly as possible and that every effort is made to prevent a recurrence.”
Meanwhile the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and Border Communities Against Brexit have offered their condolences to the tragedy which has claimed at least seven lives.
INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “Our deepest sympathies are firstly with the families who have tragically lost a loved one following yesterday’s incident in Creeslough. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
“Our thoughts and solidarity are with our colleagues across the emergency services who have been working on the scene since yesterday. In the middle of a terrible tragedy, emergency services and Letterkenny University Hospital staff are doing all they can to support the bereaved and the wider community of Creeslough.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
“INMO members in Donegal are now operating in extremely difficult circumstances. Our Organisation will continue to offer our full support and solidarity with our members in the North-West in the extremely difficult days and weeks ahead.”
A spokesperson for Border Communities Against Brexit said the emergency services have “acted with heroism” in the face of a devastating tragedy.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives in this awful tragedy in Creeslough,” said BCAB.
“Our thoughts and prayers to those who have been injured, and to the wider community in Creeslough and Donegal.
“The emergency services across the Island of Ireland have acted with heroism; thank you for your outstanding efforts.”
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