Victims of Creeslough tragedy remembered one year on
- Published
Members of a small community where 10 people died in an explosion last year have marked the anniversary with a memorial service
Only about 400 people live in Creeslough, in the Republic of Ireland
A priest told the service the community was encouraged by messages of support from around the country and beyond
It is still unclear what caused the blast
Tributes are being paid to the 10 people killed in the explosion in Creeslough, County Donegal, a year ago
The community of Creeslough, in County Donegal, has come together to remember the 10 people who died in an explosion a year ago.
The families and relatives of those who lost their lives were joined by hundreds of friends at a memorial service close to the scene of the blast.
To mark the anniversary, just after 15:00 local time - the time the devastating explosion happened - the crowd fell silent.
Bereaved families held on to each other as they reflected on their loss and remembered their loved ones.
Fr John Joe Duffy addresses the commemortaion service on Saturday
The crowd lined the main road passing the scene of the tragedy, consoling grieving relatives and offering them support and comfort.
A bell tolled 10 times in memory of each of the victims.
Parish priest Fr John Joe Duffy said the community was encouraged by messages of support from around the country and beyond, including a personal message from Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar.
Donna and Hugh Harper, the parents of 14-year-old Leona Harper who died in the explosion, arrive at the commemoration
The blast happened at the Applegreen service station in Creeslough on 7 October 2022.
It destroyed the village's only shop and a section of an apartment block.
The victims - four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old girl - were from the village or surrounding areas.
The service station remains boarded up as police continue to try to determine the cause of the blast.