October 8, 2022: Emergency services attend the scene following an explosion that occurred on October 7, 2022 at a petrol station in Creeslough, Co Donegal. Getty Images
Families of the victims of the 2022 explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal, have welcomed the news that Ireland's Minister for Justice will consider a public inquiry.
Creeslough families, a survivor, and their legal representatives met with Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration Jim O'Callaghan TD in Dublin on Thursday.
In a brief statement following the meeting, O'Callaghan said:"I offered my deepest condolences to the families on the loss of their loved ones in such tragic and sudden circumstances," O'Callaghan said.
"I listened to their individual concerns and heard the families' understandable need for justice and answers.
"I want to thank the Creeslough families and survivors for today's constructive meeting."
RTÉ News reports that while O'Callaghan has said an inquiry cannot take place before the garda investigation is finished, it is understood he will consider an inquest.
In 2024, Creeslough families met with then-Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Following the meeting, Ministers did not rule out a public inquiry, but felt that it was important that the Garda investigation, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) investigation, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) investigation complete their work.
Request for inquiry
In a statement issued via Phoenix Law after the meeting, Aine Flanagan, whose daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe and partner Robert Garwe were killed in the explosion, added: “We warmly welcome the Minister’s commitment today to give consideration to our legal team’s request for an independent investigation in line with the Stardust to ensure that we are not once again trying to seek truth and answers, many decades after the event."
Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, who is representing some of the families of the Creeslough victims, said: "At today's meeting, the Minister heard directly from the families as to the hurt and pain they suffer, with the delay in the truth, justice, and accountability.
"The Minister does, however, hold the key to finding a solution. That key comes in the form of an independent investigation chaired by the Senior Coroner or a High Court Judge, with the necessary powers.
"That solution is a minimal ask in comparison to the loss our clients have suffered. That solution is the key to ending the suffering these families sustain as the delay denies them truth and answers.
"The continuing delay to order such an investigation erodes our clients' confidence in the justice system in Ireland. Only when an independent investigation is ordered will our clients have confidence in the system."
Ahead of Thursday's meeting, solicitor Damien Tansey told Virgin Media News that his clients are hopeful for an inquiry with the power to subpoena witnesses, take evidence under oath, and make findings to satisfy the families’ need for answers.
Families of the people killed in the 2022 Creeslough explosion are meeting the Justice Minister.
Their solicitor says they hope for an inquiry with the power to subpoena witnesses, take evidence under oath, and make findings to satisfy the families’ need for answers.#VMNews pic.twitter.com/PZvDWQITMM
— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) April 9, 2026
The Creeslough tragedy
On October 7, 2022, an explosion at the Applegreen Station in Creeslough, Co Donegal killed ten people: 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.
The victims of the October 7, 2022 explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal.
In its latest update, issued on April 2, 2026, Gardaí said they had submitted a supplementary file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which comes in addition to the primary file submitted in September 2025.
The supplementary file includes formal recommendations from An Garda Síochána.
Seven people have been detained and questioned in connection with the incident, though nobody has been charged.
An Garda Síochána said in its update last week that the victims’ families continue to be supported by Family Liaison Officers and that regular family liaison briefings are held, the most recent of which was on April 2.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the fatal explosion on October 7, 2022 – and for whatever reason may not have spoken formally to An Garda Síochána to date – to please come forward and speak to the Garda Investigation Team.
The Garda Investigation Team can be contacted at Milford Garda Station where an Incident Room continues to investigate under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer at 074 9153060, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or through Garda Station.