FAMILIES devastated by the Creeslough tragedy are to travel to Leinster House this week as part of their ongoing campaign for truth and answers almost four years after the fatal explosion.
Relatives of those killed and injured on the October 7, 2022, will address TDs and Senators on Wednesday. They will raise concerns about how the criminal investigation has been handled and renew their calls for a public inquiry.
The families are being hosted in Government buildings by Mary Lou McDonald TD. The Sinn Féin leader is fulfilling a promise she made during a lengthy meeting with bereaved families and survivors in Letterkenny in March past.
Speaking ahead of the event, family members told the Donegal News that they remain “in limbo”.
They have consistently said they want answers as to what happened, why it happened, and whether it could have been prevented.
For the loved ones, the local community and the wider country, there remains a need for an inquiry that can establish the broader truth behind the tragedy, they insist.
The ten people who lost their lives in the explosion.
Following her meeting with the families, Deputy McDonald criticised the Justice Minister’s refusal at the time to meet them, saying it had caused “huge hurt”. She said: “The families believe that there are many questions that will not be answered by the criminal investigation and are calling for an independent public inquiry to take place at the same time.
“We believe that it is possible to have a public inquiry into the Creeslough tragedy at the same time as the criminal investigation is ongoing. This is something which was confirmed by the previous Garda Commissioner.”
The Government, however, has maintained that a public inquiry should not begin while the criminal investigation remains active, although campaigners argue that both processes could run concurrently.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan subsequently met with the families, survivors, and legal representatives in April. He described as a “constructive” meeting and said: “I listened to their individual concerns and heard the families’ understandable need for justice and answers.” Meanwhile, the criminal investigation continues. A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions in September 2025, while a supplementary file was submitted by investigating gardaí in recent weeks. 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 expected.
Families are also awaiting a meeting with gardaí for an update.
Ten people lost their lives: James O’Flaherty (48), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Hugh Kelly (59), Martina Martin (49), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (14).
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald and local representatives met with families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the Creeslough tragedy in March.