FAMILIES affected by the Creeslough tragedy are meeting the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, today.
The relatives of those who were killed and injured in an explosion on October 7, 2022, are expected to voice their calls for a full public inquiry into the tragedy at the meeting, which will take place at government buildings.
The government has maintained that a public inquiry should not begin while the criminal investigation remains active, although campaigners argue that both processes could run concurrently.
Ahead of the meeting, Hugh Harper, father of 14-year-old Leona Harper who was killed in the Creeslough tragedy, spoke to the Donegal News about the families’ need for answers.
He said: “Initially, our thoughts were that we’re grateful for the opportunity to meet the Taoiseach, but I’m slightly concerned now that we’re kind of being pushed from pillar to post.
“I would have hoped to have met the Taoiseach a long time ago. The fact that we’re meeting him now, I just hope that it’s not seen as a box-ticking exercise.”
Mr Harper said a public inquiry would involve a wider investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy, and would answer more questions than a criminal investigation on its own.
The 10 people who lost their lives in the Creeslough tragedy.
Families affected by the tragedy brought their campaign for truth and answers to Leinster House last month, where they met with TDs and senators.
Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan met with the families, survivors, and legal representatives in April.
He described it as a “constructive” meeting and said: “I listened to their individual concerns and heard the families’ understandable need for justice and answers.”
The possibility of a State inquest, like the Stardust inquest, has also been suggested.
The criminal investigation into the cause of the Creeslough explosion is continuing.
A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in September 2025, while a supplementary file was submitted by investigating gardaí.
The file contains recommendations following liaison with victims’ families.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities submitted a file to the DPP, while one from the Health and Safety Authority is yet to be sent.
Those who died in the Creeslough explosion were Leona Harper (14); Robert Garwe (50) and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher (24); Martin McGill (49); James O’Flaherty (48); Martina Martin (49); and Hugh “Hughie” Kelly (59).