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First victim in Donegal explosion named locally

First victim in Donegal explosion named locally
Taoiseach Micheรกl Martin visits the scene of an explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where 10 people have now been confirmed dead. Photo: PA

By PA Reporters

The Taoiseach has visited the site of a petrol station explosion that killed 10 people, including two teenagers and a young child.

Taoiseach Micheรกl Martin spoke to members of the emergency services who worked for 24 hours to locate victims following Fridayโ€™s devastating blast in Creeslough, Co Donegal.

Gardaรญ believe the explosion that ripped through the Applegreen service station and convenience store and adjoining buildings was a โ€œtragic accidentโ€.

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Earlier on Saturday, An Garda Sรญochรกna said four men, three women, a teenage girl, a teenage boy and a girl of primary school age had been killed.

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A further eight people injured in the explosion remained in hospital.

One of the victims killed in the explosion has been named locally as Leona Harper. She was a member of Letterkenny Rugby Club.

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We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in...

Posted by Letterkenny Rugby Club on Saturday, October 8, 2022

In a post on Facebook, the club said: โ€œWe are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in Creeslough.

โ€œLeona was a talented rugby player and an important part of our U14 girls team.

โ€œTo Leonaโ€™s parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support.

โ€œThere are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this.โ€

The search and recovery operation concluded on Saturday afternoon without any further victims being found.

Speaking at the cordon of the blast site, Mr Martin said there was โ€œdeep sadnessโ€ in the village and a โ€œterrible silenceโ€ reflecting the enormity of what has happened.

โ€œThe entire nation is mourning and deeply saddened,โ€ he said.

โ€œA young child in the shop and two teens as well as men and women who were going about their lives as well. It is a very close-knit community and our heart goes out to them.โ€

Explosion at Donegal service station
Taoiseach Micheรกl Martin visits the scene of the explosion. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The Taoiseach added: โ€œTalking to those on the front line and everyone involved, they were very moved by the extraordinary support they got from the community here almost immediately.

โ€œMany volunteers rushed to the scene to try and do everything they could to help because it was an horrific scene they came upon and we must always remember our emergency services.

โ€œI want to thank them for helping those who were trapped and injured. We must do everything we can to support the community.

โ€œWords on their own will not console someone who has lost a loved one and we have to be with them. We will be with them for quite some time.โ€

Sinn Fรฉin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Fรฉin TD for Donegal South West Pearse Doherty speak to a garda at the scene of the explosion. Photo: PA

Sinn Fรฉin president Mary Lou McDonald also visited the scene on Saturday evening, as did Tรกnaiste Leo Varadkar.

The political leaders later joined emergency service members and local residents for a service for the victims at a nearby church.

The major emergency rescue and recovery operation involving first responders from both sides of the Border, and many volunteers from within the local community, extended through the night on Friday and into Saturday.

Emergency services continue their work at the scene of an explosion at the Applegreen service station
Emergency services continue their work at the scene of an explosion at the Applegreen service station. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

At a media conference in Milford, Co Donegal on Saturday afternoon, Garda Superintendent David Kelly said: โ€œAt this point in time we have to keep an open mind in how we investigate this but our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.โ€

All 10 victims were from the Creeslough area.

Applegreen founder and chief executive Joe Barrett said the company was โ€œutterly shocked and saddenedโ€ by the โ€œtragicโ€ incident in Creeslough.

Mr Barrett said: โ€œYesterday was a very dark day for Creeslough, for Donegal, for Ireland, and for all of us in the wider Applegreen family.

โ€œThis is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough.โ€

Explosion at Donegal service station
Emergency services at the scene of the explosion. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

President Michael D Higgins expressed his shock at the โ€œterrible tragedyโ€.

โ€œAll of our thoughts must go out to all of those who have been affected,โ€ he said.

โ€œThose who have received news of the loss of a loved one, those injured and, most of all, those who are waiting with anxiety for news of their loved ones.

โ€œThis tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond.โ€

Prayers were said in the local church in Creeslough on Saturday morning for all those suffering.

The congregation at St Michaelโ€™s Church heard there was a โ€œtsunamiโ€ of grief in the community.

Fr John Joe Duffy said: โ€œFrom our hearts, with all our hearts and with all our souls, we pray for those who have died, we pray for those who were injured, we pray for all who were involved โ€ฆ we pray for those who are there continuing to help and have helped since yesterday.

โ€œWe pray also for those family members who are bereaved and we pray for those who still are waiting news.

โ€œWe keep them all very much in our hearts.โ€

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