Two bereaved mothers and a survivor of the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal have appealed to the Government to engage in meaningful talks about establishing a public inquiry into the explosion that claimed the lives of ten people more than three years ago.
Áine Flanagan who lost her five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe and her partner Robert Garwe in the tragedy told RTÉ News that the Government needs to engage with the families.
"We have no death certificates. We have had no inquests. It's incredibly difficult, every day getting up, not knowing why it happened.
"I want justice for both, Shauna and Robert and the eight other families. We deserve answers. The waiting is heartbreaking".
An investigation by gardaí, supported by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and the Health and Safety Authority, is ongoing.
A primary investigation file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by gardaí on 29 September 2025.
'It's very difficult. You’re trying to grieve'
Donna Harper who lost her 14-year-old daughter Leona in the tragedy, said they are happy with the garda investigation, so far, but added it will not answer all their questions.
"Everything seems to be put on the garda investigation. It’s only so much that will be answered from it. It’s very important that a statutory judicial independent inquiry takes place, so we get transparency, accountability and the truth.
"It’s very difficult. You’re trying to grieve. You’re trying to move forward, but how do you do that? How do you even begin to do that, when you’re trying to fight with Government to sit down and have talks with us."
Apartment owner Christine Evans, who survived the explosion, is supporting the call of the bereaved families.
"I believe that a judicial public inquiry should run alongside the garda investigation. I don’t see why that can’t happen."
A spokesperson for Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the criminal investigation is the most appropriate place to address all the understandable concerns of the families and the public; be it public safety, regulatory compliance, and/or any potential criminal responsibility.
They said it should be noted that where a criminal prosecution is initiated and proceeded within the courts, such proceedings will be in public as will any coroner's inquest.
'How many more years is this going to take?'
Áine Flanigan said families have not been provided with a timeframe for those proceedings, should they commence.
"How many more years is this going to take?" she asked.
It is understood a secondary garda file will be sent to the DPP later this year.
The spokesperson for Minister O’Callaghan said he met with the parents of the late Leona Harper in December 2025 in Donegal.
They said the minister conveyed his deepest sympathy personally to Mr and Ms Harper and to all the families of the victims and the wider community of Creeslough with Minister of State Charlie McConalogue also in attendance.
They said in the conversation with Mr and Ms Harper, the minister spoke of the importance of allowing the garda investigation to conclude in the first instance.
The spokesperson said he assured them that garda authorities have advised him that the assistance of multiple parties, has been utilised to ensure a thorough investigation.
They said that the multiple parties, both within and outside of An Garda Síochána, has been utilised to ensure every effort is being made to identify any criminal culpability.
Watch: Áine Flanagan says she lost her 'whole family in one go'
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said the victims’ families continue to be supported by Family Liaison Officers.
Gardaí continue to appeal to any person with information about the tragedy.
In particular, gardaí would like to speak to any person that was in the commercial premises, the scene of the fatal explosion, at any time prior to the fatal explosion on 7 October 2022 and who may not have spoken formally to gardaí, to date.
They said 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, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or in confidence.
