FAMILIES and friends of those who lost their lives in the tragedy in Creeslough will gather near the site tomorrow at 3.17pm, exactly three years on from the devastating explosion.

Ten people lost their lives at the service station in the village on October 7, 2022.

A Mass will also take place in St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, on Tuesday, October 7 at 7pm to remember those who died and were injured.

Those who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, James O’Flaherty, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, Hugh Kelly, Martina Martin, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

As the third anniversary approaches, a Plenary Meeting of Donegal County Council in Lifford last Monday, saw councillors back a motion calling on the council to pursue a compulsory purchase order for the site of the Creeslough tragedy. The council meeting was attended by family members of the victims.

Meanwhile, a primary investigation file regarding the fatal explosion was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions last week.

This update follows a briefing given to affected families earlier last week by a family liaison officer.

The garda investigation into the fatal explosion is still ongoing.

It is being led by gardaí in the Donegal Division, with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

To date, the investigation has generated over 1,500 jobs, 1,000 statements and 750 reports.

So far, seven people have been arrested, six males and one female.

An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the fatal explosion on October 7, 2022 to please contact the Garda Investigation Team.

The Garda Investigation Team can be contacted at Milford Garda Station where an Incident Room continues to investigate under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer at 074 9153060, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or in confidence through any member of An Garda Síochána at any Garda Station.