A MONTH’S mind to remember those who lost their lives in the Creeslough explosion is to take place over the next two weeks.
Monday will mark one month since 10 people died in the tragedy at Applegreen filling station on Friday, October 7. Eight others were injured, one young man remains in hospital in Dublin.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday, Fr John Joe Duffy said the enormity of the tragedy is still incomprehensible. He appealed for privacy for families at this very difficult time.
“They need to be away from the glare of it all now, that is what they are saying to me because the reality is that this has not yet sunk in.
“I will hold a Novena at the end of November where we will remember the dead of the parish. I would hope at that to have people who will come and speak with us about their life and some people to reflect on the situation.”
Fr Duffy, who has been a tower of strength to devastated families, said numbness and shock are very much still present.
He said the close-knit community of Creeslough has lost its hub in the form of the shop, where many people often met. But, he said families have been uplifted by messages of support and prayers from all over the world.
“We are all walking our way back, we are journeying together on our way back. We have been touched by messages of support, kindness and prayers from people locally, county-wide, around the country and globally and this support has helped so much.
“We are linked together, supporting one another in our way forward but it is a slow journey.
“The hub of our community and indeed the heart of our community was the shop where so many people met often is gone.”
uplift
Fr Duffy said the news of a temporary shop in the village was a great source of uplift, as did the sporting win by the U-13 boys.
“There have been many coming togethers of different groups for prayers and reflection evenings. This is a very multifaceted approach and will continue to be.”
He encouraged anyone in need of counselling supports to reach out. A HSE support line is open from 9am to 5pm on 0871405138.
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