A ceremony will take place in Creeslough, Co Donegal, this afternoon to mark the fourth anniversary of the explosion.
Ten people, ranging in age from five to 59, lost their lives in the October 7, 2022 explosion at a local service station and residential block.
Among the victims were four men, three women, and three children: five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe and her father, Robert (50); 13-year-old James Monaghan and his mother, Catherine O'Donnell (39); 14-year-old Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher (24); Catherine's fellow townspeople Martin McGill (49), James O'Flaherty (48), and Martina Martin (49); and Hugh Kelly (59).
This afternoon, loved ones will gather to lay wreaths at the blast site, where local clergy will lead prayers in remembrance of the victims.
The commemoration and prayer service will commence at 3:00 p.m., marked at 3:17 p.m. by ten tolls of the church bell, one for each life lost. Later, a Mass will be held at St Michael’s Church at 7:00 p.m.
According to RTE, an investigation into the blast remains ongoing, conducted jointly by An Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
An initial case file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in September 2025, followed by a supplementary file with formal recommendations in April. The DPP gave no timeline for a decision, stating that the office does not comment on individual cases, RTE has confirmed.
Speaking to the news outlet, Áine Flanagan, whose partner Robert Garwe and her daughter Shauna died in the explosion, said: "I was 60 yesterday and my whole immediate family is gone. Shauna and Bob weren't here to celebrate that big birthday and that was very difficult."
"We just want truth, justice and accountability… I know files are with the DPP, but it's a waiting game. I don't understand why our justice system is so slow. A few family members are coming up, but it's nice to be together with the other families that understand your pain and grief… I really do hope that we're not in a waiting game like the Stardust [tragedy]," she added.
A Department of Justice spokesperson stated that Minister O'Callaghan’s thoughts remain with the families, survivors, and the broader Creeslough community.
According to RTE, the spokesperson said that they are focused on ensuring that the investigative processes are "allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice" so the "full facts can be established".
"The minister has been assured by the coroner that work is ongoing in preparation for the inquests into the deaths of those lost in the Creeslough tragedy. The minister has offered support to the coroner, if required, to ensure the inquests have all necessary resources," the spokesperson said to the news outlet.
