Minister for Justice to hold meeting with Creeslough families

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, will hold meeting with the families of the Creeslough explosion.

Ms McEntee will meet with the families next week after making contact.

Last week, a group, Creeslough Family Support Group, wrote to the Minister seeking a meeting to discuss their call for the establishment of an independent inquiry into the October 2022 tragedy, which claimed 10 lives.

The group, which represents around 40 people affected by the horrific blast, say that the trauma has been immeasurable.

“It has been recognised as a national tragedy,” a letter said.

"As a group, we all have our own questions that we believe are valid.

"We are supporting the families in their endeavours to understand the series of events that may have led to the suspected explosion that killed ten people".

Now, Minister McEntee is set to meet with the families.

A spokesperson said the Minister has acknowledged that “it is important they get the answers they need in relation to what was a national tragedy”.

She added: “It is also important that the Garda investigation, the HSA (Health and Safety Authority) investigation and the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities) investigation complete their work.”

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Last month, a solicitor acting for several of the bereaved families called for a public inquiry.

Darragh Mackin, of Phoenix Law, wrote to Minister McEntee formally requesting that a public inquiry or commission of investigation be established.

Mr Mackin represents the next of kin of Catherine O’Donnell, James Monaghan, Robert Garwe, Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Jessica Gallagher, Martina Martin and Leona Harper.

An Garda Siochana is continuing its probe into the blast.

Over 1,350 lines of enquiry have been followed and over 900 statements taken. Four persons have been arrested and released without charge as part of the Garda investigation.

A file is said to be nearing completion and that will be handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In the lead-up to the second anniversary of the explosion, Ann Marie Boyle, who lost her sister Catherine O’Donnell and nephew James Monagan in the explosion, told Donegal Live: “What we are asking is the Minister to come to Donegal and help us families.

“The Stardust families waited for 40 years before they got any proper answers. We can’t be left to wait for 40 years for answers.

“We just want to know what happened, how it happened and why it happened.”