Public inquiry into Creeslough explosion could be set up, say families

The mother of a girl killed in the Creeslough explosion has said a statutory inquiry may be set up if other inquiries don't answer questions held by grieving families.

An investigation by An Garda Síochána (Irish police service) into the fatal explosion which claimed 10 lives is ongoing.

It is led by local gardaí in the Donegal Division, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies, including the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

The development comes after a meeting between the taoiseach and families of victims in Dublin.

Donna Harper, whose daughter was among those killed, met Taoiseach Micheál Martin at government Buildings.

She said the taoiseach was "worried about jeopardising" the Garda investigation and added that families were told that if they did not get the answers that they are looking, the government would consider coming in.

She said she was "very happy" with this outcome.

Anthony Gallagher, who lost his daughter, said the taoiseach had not ruled out a public inquiry.

"Everybody needs to know what happened and why it happened and to be sure it never, ever happens again," he said.

A spokesperson for the taoiseach said it was an "open and constructive discussion".

"He listened to the personal testimonies of the families and articulated his deepest sympathies for their loss and the trauma that they have suffered.

"He understands their need for justice and for answers and reiterated the importance of allowing the investigation that is currently underway to come to a conclusion.

"The taoiseach also confirmed that the Health and Safety Authority report into the incident is expected to be finalised shortly."

The blast happened at a service station in the County Donegal village on 7 October 2022.

No official explanation has been given for the cause of the explosion and no one charged in connection with the blast despite a number of arrests.

In April 2026, Irish police investigating the Creeslough explosion that killed 10 people have sent a second file to prosecutors that includes "formal recommendations".

Gardaí (Irish police) said the file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Thursday is in addition to the primary file it forwarded to prosecutors last September.

The Creeslough families were briefed, Gardai said, adding the families continue to be supported by family liaison officers.

The 10 victims of the explosion included four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old girl - all from the village or surrounding areas.

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; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O'Flaherty; Martina Martin; Hugh Kelly; and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

In 2025, some of the relatives objected to a proposal to build a new petrol station with a shop and post office at the explosion site.

Their lawyer argued it was "deeply inappropriate" given the ongoing criminal investigation.

In June 2025, an Coimisiún Pleanála (the Irish planning commission) refused permission for the development, following the families' appeal.

2024, Donegal County Council passed a motion calling on the government to establish a public inquiry into the Creeslough explosion.