FAMILIES who lost loved ones in the Creeslough tragedy two years ago have called for a public inquiry, a Belfast law firm has confirmed.
Darragh Mackin from Phoenix law said the family of seven of the ten victims who died in the explosion at the Co Donegal petrol station in October 2022 have written to the Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee to ask for an independent investigation to be established.
Four men, three women and three children, ranging in age from five to 59, were killed.
While the cause of the explosion has yet to be formally confirmed by the authorities, it is understood a gas leak is considered a central line of inquiry.
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.
Phoenix Law, which acts for the majority of the families, has now written to Minister McEntee formally seeking a public inquiry or commission of investigation.
Darragh Mackin, solicitor for the families, said they had also requested a meeting with the minister.
The letter written by Mr Mackin highlighted that the families of the victims had each endured “unimaginable pain and suffering”.
“Their families remain unable to grieve for their loss until such times as they know the truth of what occurred, the failings are acknowledged, and specific lessons are learned so that an incident like this never happens again,” he wrote.
Mr Mackin said the statutory function of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged criminality.
“They cannot be criticised for this limitation,” he added.
However, Mr Mackin said An Garda Síochána was unable to produce a public report into the incident, disclose documents to families or make recommendations to ensure a similar event never happens again.
He added: “It is clear on any reading that there are wider issues of preventability relating to the Creeslough explosion which will inevitably fall outside the garda investigation.”
In regard to other types of investigation, the families’ solicitor said there were several reasons why an inquest would be “insufficient and ineffective” in the Creeslough case, including the fact that it could take several years to be held.
Mr Mackin said it was widely acknowledged, both within and outside the State, that “complex and contentious deaths” require a parallel investigation while a criminal investigation is ongoing.
He said the recent inquiry into the Grenfell fire in London was an “apt analogy” as it took place alongside the police investigation.
In conclusion, Mr Mackin wrote: “In light of the above, we write to formally request that the minister give consideration to the commissioning of an independent investigation in the form of a public inquiry or commission of investigation, in the terms to be agreed in consultation with the families.
“The holding of such an investigation now will ensure that no further time is lost and indeed will provide our clients with a vehicle for getting to the truth and, in turn, finally being able to grieve for their loved ones.
“Finally, as you will appreciate, we are now approaching the second anniversary and as such we would be grateful if this request could be considered at your earliest convenience.”
A statement from the minister’s department confirmed she had received the letter and was “currently considering its contents”.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further given there is an ongoing investigation under way,” the department added.
“As we approach the two-year anniversary, these families are none the wiser as to the truth or the circumstances of the explosion,” he said.
“It is imperative that these grieving families are provided with a forum to access the relevant documentation, ask the pivotal questions and obtain the crucial answers. Only when this happens can lessons be learned and the truth uncovered.
“When horrendous events like this occur, there is an imperative need for an investigation separate to any criminal process.
“Akin to Grenfell, these families require an independent forum which provides them, and the wider public, the answers that are deserved.
“These families now eagerly await to hear from the Minister for Justice on their request for a meeting and the need for a public inquiry.”