Creeslough families hoping for answers in New Year as Minister rules out immediate public inquiry

Stephen Maguire

The Minister for Justice has ruled out an immediate inquiry into the cause of the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal.

Minister Jim O'Callaghan was speaking during a visit to Co Donegal over the weekend.

Minister Callaghan met with the parents of Leona Harper, one of the 10 victims killed following an explosion at the Applegreen Filling Station in the Donegal village on the afternoon of October 7th, 2022.

The Minister told the Harper family that his opinion is that justice for the families of those who died in the explosion will not be delivered by an inquiry.

He said that justice will be delivered in the courts saying that has to be the "primary focus" of the state's response to the tragedy.

He added however, that if there is no prosecution or when the prosecution concludes, and there are still questions then he will consider what options are open to give answers to the families.

Donna and Hugh Harper met with Minister O'Callaghan at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny and outlined their concerns about the investigation into the tragedy.

Ms Harper said she was very thankful to the Minister for meeting herself and her husband at such short notice.

She said that although it was a brief meeting, she was reassured by what he had to say.

"Firstly we were very grateful that he met us, especially at such short notice.

"He was very direct in his opinion that the Garda investigation must be allowed to be completed and possible prosecutions happen before there is any inquiry.

"I found him to be very straight-talking and we have to have confidence in him and to allow the process to help us find the answers we need," she said.

Ms Harper said she relayed the details of the meeting with the Minister to the other families who lost loved ones.

She added that on a personal note she explained to the Minister how there were real families, including her own, who are still struggling to cope more than three years after the horrific events of October, 2022.

"I explained to him that my daughter, Leona, died as a 14-year-old child in that explosion but that she would have turned 18 and become a woman on January 9th.

"That really struck a chord with him, that there are so many human stories behind this tragedy and so many unanswered questions.

"But I feel he listened to us and he is genuine.

"We are hopeful that as we enter a new year, there will be developments in the investigation and we finally get the answers we all need to move forward with our own lives."

Ms Harper added that although the meeting was brief, she was hopeful the families can arrange a further, more detailed meeting with the Minister

"My opinion is that he certainly hasn't ruled out a public inquiry if that is what is needed down the line," she added.

To date, there have been seven arrests in connection with the tragedy, the latest being in September.

All those arrested so far in relation to the investigation have been questioned and released without charge.

Gardai issued a public statement in September saying the investigation into the explosion has generated 1,000 statements and 750 reports, as well as seven arrests including six males and one female.