‘We will walk with you in your pain’: Priest’s solemn words as first funeral of Irish petrol station disaster is held, with fashion designer, 24, laid to rest
- Mass for 24-year-old fashion designer Jessica Gallagher was held at St Michael’s Church in Co Donegal village
- Ms Gallagher, who had been due to start a new job on Monday, was one of ten people killed in the tragedy
- Father John Joe Duffy described Jessica as a ‘jewel’ of her family, who would be supported by the community
- Funerals of the at least five over victims – who were aged five to 59 – will take place in the coming days
- Funeral of Martin McGill, 49, originally from Scotland, will also be held at St Michael’s Church later on Tuesday
- Ireland’s police force, An Garda Siochana, is continuing its investigation the cause of Friday’s deadly blast
The first funeral for the victims of the Applegreen service station explosion in Ireland was today held in Co Donegal village where the blast happened, with the priest offering solemn words to her family.
Mass for 24-year-old fashion designer Jessica Gallagher was held at St Michael’s Church, where Father John Joe Duffy consoled her bereaved relatives, saying: ‘We cannot feel your pain, but we will walk with you in that pain.’
Ms Gallagher, who had been due to start a new job on Monday, was one of ten people, aged from five to 59, killed in the tragedy in the village of Creeslough on Friday.
The first funeral for the victims of the service station explosion in Ireland is under way in the Co Donegal village where the blast happened. Pictured: Mourners gather to attend the funeral of Jessica Gallagher, aged 24 at St. Michael’s Church Cresslough, on October 11
Pictured: Mass for 24-year-old fashion designer Jessica Gallagher is taking place at St Michael’s Church on Tuesday
The family of Jessica Gallagher, 24, watch as her coffin leaves St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, after her funeral mass
The hearse carrying Jessica Gallagher, 24, arrives at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, for her funeral mass. Jessica died following an explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday. Picture date: Tuesday October 11, 2022
Jessica Gallagher had recently returned to her home town of Creeslough from Paris. It is understood the 24-year-old was studying design in the French capital, but had recently moved home
The funeral of Martin McGill, 49, who was originally from Scotland, will also be held at St Michael’s Church later on Tuesday.
Ireland’s police force, An Garda Siochana, continues to investigate the cause of the blast in a building complex that included the service station and convenience store and residential apartments.
It is being treated as a ‘tragic accident’. A gas leak is one theory, it is believed.
Father John Joe Duffy, who will preside at many of the Creeslough funerals, said he was struggling to find words to encapsulate the enormity of the tragedy.
Ahead of the first mass on Tuesday, for Ms Gallagher, Fr Duffy told reporters: ‘It’s nothing we could ever have imagined, nor could any community have imagined.
‘There are no words. I’m trying to find words this morning. I’m one of the locals here, I am one of the people, I am ordinary, I may wear this collar but I’m ordinary, I’m struggling to find words. Maybe words will find me this morning.
‘I went there to reflect at the scene, I saw a little photograph that somebody had placed among the flowers of a dog who was sitting on stones looking out from a doorway on to a brighter sky.
‘So, all that we can pray for is that, through the help of everyone, that the families will manage to get through this and I am worried for people.’
Priest Fr John Joe Duffy sprinkles holy water on the coffin of Jessica Gallagher as it is carried into St Michael’s Church
The coffin of Jessica Gallaghe is carried into St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, for her funeral mass
The hearse carrying Jessica Gallagher arrives at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, for her funeral mass. Floral arrangements are seen through the window, including one spelling her name
The other eight victims were 50-year-old Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who were buying a birthday cake; 48-year-old James O’Flaherty; 14-year-old Leona Harper; 39-year-old Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; 59-year-old Hugh Kelly; and 49-year-old Martina Martin.
Mr O’Flaherty’s funeral will be in St Mary’s Church in Derrybeg on Wednesday morning. A joint service will be held for Ms O’Donnell and her son James at St Michael’s in Creeslough on Wednesday afternoon.
A funeral for Ms Harper is to take place at St Mary’s Church, Ramelton on Thursday. Mrs Martin, a mother of four, will also be laid to rest on Thursday with a service at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough.
At the outset of the funeral, Fr John Joe Duffy expressed ‘sincere and heartfelt sympathies’ to Jessica Gallagher’s family. ‘We would love to be able to put in our hands to your hearts and take away that grief and that pain that you are suffering this morning,’ he said.
‘But to even think of that would not be a sensible thing to do. Because in that void, in that grief, there you hold in your hearts Jessica.’
Fr Duffy described Jessica as a ‘jewel’ of her family.
Mourners leave St. Michael’s Church after attending the funeral of Jessica Gallagher, aged 24, in Creeslough, on October 11
The hearse carrying Jessica Gallagher, 24, arrives at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, for her funeral mass
Priest Fr John Joe Duffy speaks to the media before the funeral mass for Jessica Gallagher. At the outset of the funeral, Fr John Joe Duffy expressed ‘sincere and heartfelt sympathies’ to Jessica Gallagher’s family. ‘We would love to be able to put in our hands to your hearts and take away that grief and that pain that you are suffering this morning,’ he said
Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill arrives at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, for the funeral mass of Jessica Gallagher
‘While we cannot take that pain away for you, we want to walk with you,’ he said.
‘We cannot feel your pain but we will walk with you in that pain because to even say that we feel that pain would not be right or not be fair to you, but we walk in that pain.
‘The greater someone is loved, the greater that pain and that pain is so immense, and Jessica will forever remain in your heart, but she will also be with you, she will remain with you.’
In his homily, Father John Joe Duffy said Jessica Gallagher ‘radiated a warm and positive feeling’ to all who knew her well. The priest said she left ripples of ‘love, affection, kindness and warmth’ wherever she went.
‘We are experiencing, you the family, are experiencing that most difficult challenge of all – the pain and hardship of having to say goodbye to Jessica today,’ he said.
‘That pain and hardship that other families are experiencing and I know that other families have been with you that have lost a loved one and those who have a loved one in hospital at this time.
‘That pain has been felt in our parish and in our neighbouring parishes when the pathway in which Jessica and others were travelling through life was so abruptly ended by this tragic accident.
‘I wish I as a priest could explain that more fully in a way that words could explain it, but we do not have words to explain it, for words would make no sense or couldn’t give it sense.
‘I am part of you, part of this community, and it is together that we will make the journey and travel that journey going forward, supporting each other as so many people have been doing. Our entire community is hurting. Our hearts are heavy, but our spirits are strong.’
Pictured: The scene of devastation at the petrol station in Creeslough is shown in this aerial photograph
Emergency services attend the scene of the Applegreen service station explosion on October 8, 2022 in Creeslough
Emergency services attend the scene of a explosion, resulting in multiple deaths, at a service station in the village of Creeslough, in County Donegal, Ireland, October 8, 2022
Father John Joe Duffy told mourners that Jessica Gallagher’s grieving father Anthony had told him of his pride in how the community in Creeslough had responded to the tragedy.
‘That sums up the type of community that we are and it is that community and our faith that will help us in the pathway of life ahead,’ he said.
The cleric added: ‘We are heartened this morning in our sadness of that support, that rallying of support from the very first moment of this terrible accident, that help that came to us from right across this island of Ireland, that help that joined in so greatly between the services from Northern Ireland and our own services and our locals all working together hand in hand.’
Lives snatched in a split second: The 10 victims of the petrol station blast
Robert Garwe, 50, and Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 5
Robert, 50, died alongside his five-year-old daughter in the explosion.
He and little Shauna visited the petrol station at Creeslough intending to buy a cake for her mother, but were killed moments after entering the store.
Robert is understood to originally be from Zambia, but moved to the picturesque Donegal village about a year ago with other members of their family. His five-year-old daughter Shauna was the youngest victim of the explosion at the Applegreen station.
The news of the loss of such a young life devastated the country yesterday, as her family released an image of the girl in her school uniform.
The little girl’s brother, who moved to Donegal from the UK, was among those who kept a vigil at the site of the explosion over the weekend.
Robert Garwe (left), 50, died alongside his five-year-old daughter (right) in the explosion. He and little Shauna visited the petrol station at Creeslough intending to buy a cake for her mother, but were killed moments after entering the store
James Monaghan, 13, and mother Catherine O’Donnell
James Monaghan (right) was at the store with his mother, Catherine O’Donnell (left), when they were killed
James Monaghan was at the store with his mother, Catherine O’Donnell, when they were killed. The 13-year-old was a student at Mulroy College in Milford.
Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service and Donegal Education and Training Board have also offered advice and guidance to ensure the wellbeing of students and families.
Dr Martin Gormley, of Donegal ETB, said it is difficult to put into words the impact of the tragedy on the community. ‘I wish to compliment the emergency and health services, the school management and staff and the educational psychologists on their response to this critical incident,’ he said.
‘We extend our sympathies to all the families and we now wish all those injured a speedy recovery following the accident.
‘This is a tragedy that is difficult to put words on.’
Australian James O’Flaherty (pictured) was well-known within his community and worked as a director for Jabil, an American manufacturing services company
James O’Flaherty, 48
Australian James O’Flaherty’s achievements as an engineering director were renowned. During his career, he managed large-scale software engineering and electrical engineering projects worth more than €100million.
James was well-known within his community and worked as a director for Jabil, an American manufacturing services company. He spent years studying and working in Australia, securing an MBA in Business Administration and management at the university of Tasmania.
A former client of his described James as a man ‘loaded with enthusiasm, energy and insight’.
‘James’s drive and dedication has allowed for multiple deliveries of successful projects,’ said Shaun Struwig.
‘He has the ability to communicate at a very high-level, but understands all the technical details, providing comfort in project delivery.
‘Loaded with enthusiasm, energy and insight, offering excellent and practical solutions in often very trying and difficult situations, approaching challenges with innovative ideas, and sharing these in an open and constructive manner. James, being a great team player, would be an asset to any company.’
Hugh Kelly, 59
At 59, Hugh was the eldest victim in the tragedy, and has been described as a ‘gentleman’. It was reported last night that he worked in construction and was in a long-term relationship.
At 59, Hugh Kelly (pictured) was the eldest victim in the tragedy
Martina was working behind the counter at the Applegreen service station when she was killed in the tragic blast
Martina Martin, 49
Martina was working behind the counter at the Applegreen service station when she was killed in the tragic blast. She was mother to a student at Mulroy College in Milford.
Fiona Temple, principal of Mulroy College said the school, staff and pupils are distraught by the loss of those within the school community.
‘We as a school community are devastated on hearing of the tragedy and the fatal outcome for our two beautiful students and our cherished parents. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and the Creeslough community at this time,’ she said.
‘We are numbed by this overwhelming sadness and will work together to support all members of our school community in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.’
Leona Harper, 14
Leona Harper (pictured) is believed to have entered the service station on Friday afternoon with her friend to buy ice cream after school
Leona is believed to have entered the service station on Friday afternoon with her friend to buy ice cream after school.
She was later planning to go to a sleepover at her friend’s house.
The 14-year-old was killed while choosing an ice cream from the fridge, while her friend was left injured.
Her devastated brother, Anthony Harper, paid a moving tribute to her, saying he couldn’t have asked for ‘a better little sister’.
‘Leona, I love you so much and we all love you so much,’ he wrote on Facebook.
Leona, who was a student at Mulroy College, was also remembered over the weekend as a talented rugby player, playing for Letterkenny RFC under-14s.
Her local club Letterkenny described Harper as a ‘talented rugby player’ and a key member of their under-14s girls team.
Both Ulster and Leinster have paid tribute to Harper following her tragic passing.
‘We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Leona Harper, who lost her life in Creeslough, Co. Donegal,’ Ulster Rugby stated on social media.
Martin McGill was among the victims of the petrol station explosion
Martin McGill, 49
Locals yesterday recalled seeing Martin McGill’s car outside the petrol station soon after the blast, while his frantic mother rang the local pharmacy in search of him.
It was soon discovered that the 49-year-old was among the victims.
Martin was a carer for his mother, and was described by local pharmacist Fergus Brennan as an ‘exceptional young man’.
He added: ‘Martin was a very regular visitor, because he was a carer. He was so well liked and loved, and looked after his parents, most recently this mum, with such dedication and love’.
Jessica Gallagher (pictured)had recently returned to her home town of Creeslough from Paris, where it is understood she was studying design
Jessica Gallagher, 24
Jessica had recently returned to her home town of Creeslough from Paris.
It is understood the 24-year-old was studying design in the French capital, but had recently moved home.
She is said to be from a family of talent musicians and artists. Her boyfriend was among those injured in the
explosion, and was taken to a specialist burns unit, where his condition was described as critical.
Local visual artist, Ian Joyce, who knew Ms Gallagher said that he was ‘shocked’ by her death.
‘I knew a young woman who died in the blast… She lived in Paris for a number of years, and she had just moved home. She was a designer,’ he said.
‘The best of people in worst of situations’.
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