Creeslough: Gardaí make first arrests in relation to fatal 2022 explosion

An Garda Síochána has announced that two people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the fatal explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal that occurred on October 7, 2022.

Two males, aged in their 50s, were arrested this morning, Friday, March 22, for alleged offenses contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Both men have been detained under the provisions of section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984 at separate Garda stations in Co Donegal.

Friday's arrests are the first in the scope of investigation into the Creeslough explosion.

In their update on Friday, An Garda Síochána said: "The investigation into the fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough, County Donegal continues, co-ordinated from Milford Garda station, where an Incident Room is established under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer (SIO).

"The investigation continues to be led by local Gardaí in Donegal Division, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies, including the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) & the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU)."

On October 7, 2022, ten people were killed and a further eight people were hospitalized in an explosion at an Applegreen Station in Creeslough, Co Donegal.

Jessica Gallagher, 24, Robert Garwe, 50, his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Leona Harper, 14, Hugh Kelly, 59, Martina Martin, 49, Martin McGill, 49, Catherine O'Donnell, 39, her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, and James O'Flaherty, 48, all died in the blast.

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The ten people killed during the Creeslough explosion on October 7, 2022.

In an update last October ahead of the first anniversary of the fatal explosion, An Garda Síochána said it was continuing "to work diligently and as expeditiously as possible, in the circumstances, to ensure that all the circumstances of this fatal explosion are professionally investigated."

At the time, Gardai said that in excess of 1350 lines of enquiry had been actioned and that in excess of 900 statements had been taken.

Meanwhile, Donegal County Council, the Creeslough Working Group, and the Creeslough Community Association, supported by Arup, have been developing a Village Plan and Community Regeneration Project for Creeslough. The Creeslough Village Plan was launched on March 19.