Creeslough tragedy: €1.9m in donations has been a 'wonderful example' of Irish unity in tragedy
'Nothing can replace what was so cruelly lost on that day'
The near-€1.9 million in donations received by the Irish Red Cross in aid of the community of Creeslough following last year's devastating explosion has been hailed as a "wonderful example" of Irish unity during tragic times.
The Donegal village experienced untold tragedy on Friday, 7 October last year when an explosion at an Applegreen service station claimed the lives of 10 people, including three children.
Many heartbreaking stories began to emerge in the wake of the disaster, detailing the ordinary, day-to-day tasks the unsuspecting victims were undertaking when in the station at that fateful moment.
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James O’Flaherty (48), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Hugh Kelly (59), Martina Martin (49), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) and Leona Harper (14) all perished in the blast.
While the entire nation joined the rural northwest community in mourning the unspeakable loss, there was a national call to help those directly affected by the event.
The Irish Red Cross set up an emergency appeal, in conjunction with An Post and Applegreen, to provide swift financial and psychological supports to the individuals and families who were so suddenly hit by loss and hardship.
The charity announced this week that it has since raised a total of almost €1.9 million in funds donated by the public. The funds raised primarily went towards emergency funding and pre-planned lump-sum payments, as well as costs associated with maintaining a constant presence in the village.
Contributors to the hefty sum include online, corporate and community event donations.
Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross, said: "As we remember those impacted by this devastating tragedy a year ago, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the people and businesses of Ireland who were so generous and empathetic in their response.
"Through them, we raised over €1.8 million to support the Creeslough community and the families affected. Nothing can replace what was so cruelly lost on that day, but the Irish Red Cross and its members stand in solidarity with the people of Creeslough and together we honour those who so cruelly lost their lives, lost family or loved ones, those injured, and the many people whose homes or livelihoods were lost of affected."
The charity also stated that it has spent over €700,000 to date on emergency items as clothing, lost wages, funeral costs and trauma counselling in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Angus Laverty, Spokesperson for An Post - who accepted donations across its local post offices as part of the coordinated emergency response with the Irish Red Cross and Applegreen - described the massive sum as "another wonderful example of Ireland rallying in response to a dreadful tragedy".
A commemoration and remembrance service will take place at the site of the explosion in Creeslough at 3pm on Saturday, 7 October, one year on from the tragedy that befell the small rural community.
There will be another ceremony and vigil mass later at 7:30pm in St. Michael's Church, Creeslough to remember those who died, those who were injured and members of the public and emergency services who provided aid at the scene.
