A candlelit vigil will be held this evening in Derry to remember those who died in the Creeslough tragedy on Friday.
The ten victims – which included three young people – lost their lives in the disaster in the Co Donegal village when an Applegreen petrol station exploded shortly after 3pm on Friday, October 7.
All of the victims were from the local area, Gardai said.
They have been named as Catherine O’Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe; 14-year-old Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher, 24; James O’Flaherty, 48; Martin McGill, 49; Martina Martin, 49, and 59-year-old Hugh Kelly.
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Sandra Duffy, is to open a Book of Condolence at the Guildhall from 3pm on Monday afternoon to allow the public to express their sympathy.
A candlelit vigil has also been organised to take place at 8pm this evening, October 10, on the Guildhall steps.
Mayor Duffy said the people of the North West were heartbroken at the tragedy and wanted to show their support for the community in Cresslough.
She said: “It has been a deeply sad weekend for the people of Donegal, Derry and Tyrone as we watched in disbelief details of the tragedy unfold in Creeslough.
“There are no words for the sadness and grief we all feel. Our hearts are sore for the victim’s families and the wider community in Creeslough for their terrible loss.
“It’s a small rural community and for a tragedy of this magnitude to happen is just unthinkable.
“On behalf of the people of Derry City and Strabane District, I want to offer my condolences and sympathy to all those affected.”
“I also want to acknowledge the work of the emergency services and the volunteers from both sides of the border who came together to work tirelessly all weekend as part of the rescue operation,” she continued.
“A Book of Condolence will be available for signing on Monday afternoon from 3pm in the Guildhall and also online via the Council website, and I am inviting people to come along to the Guildhall on Monday evening at 8pm to take part in a candlelit vigil to show their solidarity and support to the people of Creeslough.
“I think it is important that we extend our sympathies and messages of love to our closest neighbours at this terrible time and let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult days and weeks ahead.”
Tags: