Three children and seven adults died in the horrific explosion in Donegal, which residents have referred to as the county’s “darkest day,” and yesterday night, heartbreaking details of their dying moments were revealed.
The gas station store in Creeslough that was destroyed in the explosion is where 14-year-old Leona Harper perished as she reached for an ice cream from the refrigerator.
The explosion also claimed the lives of designer Jessica Gallagher, 23, who had just returned to Creeslough after residing in Paris for a number of years. A Dublin hospital is where her lover is being treated for serious burns after being evacuated there.
A mother, commonly known as Catherine O’Donnell, her son James, 13, a third lady, and three other males were among the other casualties.
At 3.20 pm on Friday, the youngest victim—a five-year-old girl and her father, a man from Zambia in his 50s—were slain just as they entered the Applegreen shop. It is believed that they and other family members relocated to the charming Donegal village approximately a year ago.
One among those who maintained a vigil yesterday at the scene of the explosion was the little girl’s brother, who just relocated to Donegal from the UK.
Anthony Harper, Leona Harper’s grieving brother, gave a heartfelt tribute to her last night. He said there was “no better younger sister” he could have hoped for. He said on Facebook, “Leona, I love you so much and we all love you so much.”
Last night, the Letterkenny Rugby Club also paid homage to the young adolescent.
We are devastated to report that our darkest worries have come true. Tragically, Leona Harper passed away yesterday in Creeslough.
“Leona” was a valuable member of our U14 girls’ rugby squad and a gifted player.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies and support to Leona’s parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers, Anthony and Jamie, as well as all of her colleagues.
“At a time of such great loss, there are no words that seem powerful enough. Peace be with you, Leona.
On Friday, Leona was scheduled to spend the night at her friend’s home. Just before the explosion, which is thought to have been triggered by a gas cylinder in a neighboring flat, the two companions entered the store after concluding the week’s classes.
The two girls entered the store, a family acquaintance told the Irish Mail on Sunday. Leona was supposed to spend the night at her friend’s place.
They entered to purchase an ice cream. Yesterday, Leona and her buddy were discovered at the store’s ice cream refrigerator and entrance door, respectively. The explosion blew her out of the store and onto the threshold. One of Leona’s friends’ legs was broken when she was discovered amid the debris.
One of the eight survivors being treated in a hospital after the catastrophic explosion is Jessica Gallagher’s boyfriend.
His condition was deemed serious yesterday night as he was being treated in a specialized burns unit.
The Letterkenny University Hospital continues to treat the seven other survivors. Last night, they were all in stable condition.
I’m startled, said local visual artist Ian Joyce, who knew several of the victims of the explosion, including Ms. Gallagher. I had a friend who lost her life in the explosion. My child knew about her. She just relocated back to her home after spending many years living in Paris. She worked in design.
I am acquainted with her family, who are all really gifted musicians and artists. The community here will be affected by this in the long run.
Donegal’s saddest day, according to the local Letterkenny-based Catholic Bishop of Raphoe, Alan McGuckian.
The loss of the 10 lives, according to Bishop McGuckian, was a “heart-breaking human tragedy.”
“I received the news of the terrible explosion at a gas station in Creeslough with absolute shock,” he stated. I am really grieved by the fatalities and the severity of the injuries.
Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, and Leo Varadkar, the Tánaiste, traveled to Creeslough yesterday night to attend a memorial ceremony for the fatalities close to the site.
Just a few feet from the tragedy’s site, Mr. Martin told RTÉ that the community was enveloped in “a dreadful quiet expressing a horrific loss on a magnitude no one can imagine.”
The Taoiseach praised the dedication of the emergency services from both the north and the south, who sprung into action to assist in the rescue operation with local volunteers.
The emergency personnel, according to him, “talked very movingly about the community which worked so hard to assist.” They described what they observed in extremely moving detail.
“The community’s ideals will hopefully aid the community in its efforts to cope with this,” Mr. Martin said. Thought, prayer, and, when possible, physical presence are all ways that we may help.
President Michael D. Higgins described the incident as “a dreadful blow to a community that is deeply linked and where every death and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond” in a statement earlier yesterday.
I am appalled and grieved by the dreadful loss of life in Donegal, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said yesterday night, highlighting the tragedy’s far-reaching effects. My heartfelt condolences are extended to the bereaved families, friends, and the entire Creeslough community as they unite in their time of grief.
Fr. John Joe Duffy, the parish priest in the area, pleaded for prayers from people all across the nation and the globe to “carry” the neighborhood through its most trying time.
Although the cause of the explosion is still unknown, there was growing speculation last night that the explosion may have been caused by a gas cylinder in one of the apartments constructed next to the busy garage.
‘I thought it was an atomic bomb and I was searching for the plume,’ a local lady who assisted a mother in identifying her child at the site told the MoS. After the shaking stopped, there was complete quiet; not even the birds could be heard. There was no stench, and there was no fire.
My child believed it was a shooting, a another mother stated. She was clueless as to what was happening.
It was horrible, according to Dr. Paul Stewart, a Creeslough resident for the last 22 years and a rescue team participant. Three storeys crashed onto those unfortunate folks, reminding me of when I was growing up in Belfast during the Troubles.
Friends and neighbors were all attempting to rescue individuals from the wreckage since there were still 15 minutes until help could come. Some of us then returned inside despite the risk after they successfully got quite a few out.
“Then we had to wait.” We were aware that some folks were still away from home.
“This is a terrible disaster.” Dr. Stewart added, “We have lost friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
He told RTÉ that the scars would likely take years to completely heal.
The investigating garda have labeled the explosion as an accident but claim to be leaving all options open.
In order to identify the source of the explosion, Garda technical specialists will scour the scene over the course of the next several days.
Last night, local TD Charlie McConalogue and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue paid gratitude to the neighborhood and volunteers who risked their lives to help the rescue effort.
He informed the MoS that “the community placed their lives at danger yesterday to try and assist others.” It really brings to mind a scene from back in the days of the Troubles.
Families had a frightening night. In the county, there have been dark days before.
“This is one of the darkest,” was said.