The families of those killed in the 7 October 2022 Creeslough explosion say a statutory public inquiry could be pursued if current probes do not provide answers. An Garda Síochána leads an ongoing investigation supported by the GNBCI, HSA and CRU; in April 2026 Gardaí sent a second file with "formal recommendations" to the DPP. Families met Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin, who did not rule out a public inquiry and said the HSA report is due shortly. Relatives previously succeeded in stopping plans to redevelop the blast site.
Creeslough Families Say Statutory Inquiry Could Follow as Gardaí Send Second File to DPP
Donna Harper with her solicitor Damien Tansey [BBC]
Families of the 10 victims of the Creeslough explosion have said a statutory public inquiry could be established if ongoing investigations do not answer their questions about the Oct. 7, 2022 blast.
An Garda Síochána continues to lead the criminal investigation, carried out by local gardaí in the Donegal Division with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies, including the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The Taoiseach met with families today [PA Media]
In April 2026 Gardaí sent a second file containing "formal recommendations" to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This followed a primary file forwarded to prosecutors in September 2025. Gardaí have briefed the families on these developments and continue to provide support through family liaison officers.
The development came after a meeting in Dublin between Taoiseach Micheál Martin and relatives of those killed. Donna Harper, whose 14-year-old daughter Leona died in the blast, said the Taoiseach stressed the importance of not jeopardising the Garda investigation but confirmed the government would consider a statutory inquiry if current processes fail to deliver answers.
Those who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, 14-year-old Leona Harper, Hugh Kelly, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O'Flaherty, Martina Martin, and Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan [BBC]
"Everybody needs to know what happened and why it happened and to be sure it never, ever happens again," said Anthony Gallagher, who lost his daughter Jessica.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach described the exchange as "open and constructive," saying Mr Martin listened to families' testimonies, expressed his deepest sympathies and reiterated the need to allow the ongoing investigations to conclude. The Taoiseach also confirmed the HSA's report into the incident is expected to be finalised shortly.
The explosion tore through a service station in the County Donegal village on 7 October 2022, killing 10 people: Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Leona Harper (14); Hugh Kelly; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O'Flaherty; and Martina Martin. The victims included four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old child, all from Creeslough or the surrounding area.
In 2025 relatives objected to a planning proposal to build a new petrol station with a shop and post office on the explosion site, describing the development as "deeply inappropriate" while criminal inquiries were ongoing. In June 2025 An Coimisiún Pleanála refused permission following the families' appeal. Donegal County Council had earlier, in 2024, called on the government to establish a public inquiry.
What happens next: Gardaí will await any direction from the DPP following the second file submission. The HSA report, once published, may also influence whether ministers opt to launch a statutory public inquiry to address outstanding questions from families and the wider community.
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