Justice minister ‘will consider’ inquiry into Creeslough explosion, families say

Ireland’s justice minister is to consider holding an inquiry into the Creeslough explosion in which 10 people died, the families of the victims have said.

An investigation into the explosion is “key” to ending the suffering of the families of the victims, a lawyer acting on their behalf said.

They also have called on the justice minister to travel to Co Donegal to meet families and survivors.

Four men, three women and three children, aged between five and 59, died in the explosion at a building complex in the Co Donegal village on October 7 2022.

The 10 victims were: Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, fashion student Jessica Gallagher, Celtic fan Martin McGill, James O’Flaherty from Sydney, Australia, shop worker Martina Martin, carpenter Hugh “Hughie” Kelly and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan met families affected by the tragedy at the Department of Justice in Dublin on Thursday.

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet today with the families of those who died in the Creeslough explosion in 2022,” he said.

“I offered my deepest condolences to the families on the loss of their loved ones in such tragic and sudden circumstances.

“I listened to their individual concerns and heard the families’ understandable need for justice and answers.

“I want to thank the Creeslough families and survivors for today’s constructive meeting.”

In a statement, Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said the minister heard the effect the delay to justice and accountability has had on the families.

“The minister has now confirmed unequivocally to these families that he will consider holding an inquest with a senior judge or the senior corner, something similar to Stardust,” he told reporters outside the department.

“These families have waited too long for a decision for an independent investigation.

“The ball is now in the minister’s court to give that decision in the near future and we warmly welcome that imminent time-frame.”

Aine Flanagan, whose partner Robert and five-year-old daughter Shauna died in the explosion, said: “We warmly welcome the minister’s commitment today to give consideration to our legal team’s request for an independent investigation, in line with Stardust, to ensure that we are not once again trying to seek truth and answers many decades after the event.”

Mr Mackin said Mr O’Callaghan holds “the key to finding a solution”.

He added: “That key comes in the form of an independent investigation chaired by the senior coroner or a High Court judge, with the necessary powers.”

Mr Mackin described an investigation as a “minimal ask” in comparison with “the loss our clients have suffered”.

He added: “The continuing delay to order such an investigation erodes our clients’ confidence in the justice system in Ireland.

“Only when an independent investigation is ordered will our clients have confidence in the system.”

Ann Marie Boyle, whose sister Catherine and nephew James died in the blast, said the families had also asked the minister to visit Donegal

“There is family members and there’s injured people who can’t come because of their injuries,” she said, adding that this was her second trip to Dublin to meet a justice minister.

“So we would welcome him to come to Donegal.”

Donna Harper, mother of 14-year-old Leona, said she felt the minister listened to them.

Asked about a public inquiry, she said: “He hasn’t said yes, but he hasn’t said no.

“He said that if there is going to be prosecutions through the courts, that he will certainly meet us again if we still have questions that need to be answered, and he certainly will look into the inquiry. So he hasn’t ruled it out.”

She added that while the families appreciate the time they were given by the minister, it has been almost four years since the explosion.

“My wee girl was killed on 7 (October), and she was 14 when she was killed. January past she should have been 18, and she should have been making her prom and so on. And you’ve got all them milestones in front of you, and we would really, really love to see if he could agree to giving us the inquiry right now.”