Northern Ireland

Tragedy-hit Creeslough to get €13m new sports centre

Ten people died in a gas explosion in the Donegal village

Ten people died when a suspected gas explosion ripped through the Creeslough shopping and apartment complex.
Ten people died when a suspected gas explosion ripped through the Creeslough shopping and apartment complex.

The Dublin government has allocated more than €12m to a new sports and community hub to help the people of Creeslough deal with the aftermath of the devastating explosion in which 10 people died.

In a further development on Monday afternoon, Donegal county council confirmed it would provide the balancing payment of €1.4m (£1.1m) necessary to complete the centre.

The new centre will be near to the village’s St Michael’s Church.

Seven adults and three children died in a suspected gas explosion at an Applegreen retail and apartment complex in the County Donegal village on October 7 2022.

Two men aged in their fifties were arrested and later released without charge in March this year as part of a Garda-led investigation into the tragedy.

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The new centre (pictured in artist's impression) will include sport and community facilities.
The new centre (pictured in artist's impression) will include sport and community facilities.

The new Creeslough hub will include a gym, multi-use games area and other sports facilities as well as accommodation for civic and recreational use. The centre will also feature a number of private rooms for counselling for those recovering from the aftermath of the explosion.



News of the government funding was welcomed by Donegal-based government minister, Charlie McConalogue. The Agriculture and Marine Minister said a lot of work had been put into regeneration plans for the village.

Mr McConalogue said: “This announcement is a positive development for Creeslough and the surrounding towns and villages and I wish those tasked with bring the project to fruition well.

“This project will make a real and lasting difference to Creeslough.”

Chairman of Donegal county council, Martin Harley also welcomed the development.

Mr Harley said: “It is my sincere wish that it will be an important source of hope and support to the community as it looks to the future.”