Families of Creeslough Explosion Victims Seek Meeting with Justice Minister, Demand Accountability

Bereaved families of the ten victims of the 2022 Creeslough explosion are renewing their calls for a meeting with Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, expressing disappointment with his recent statements regarding their request. The families are seeking direct engagement with the Minister to address personal concerns and push for a comprehensive understanding of the tragedy, going beyond the scope of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Calls for a Meeting Intensify

Donna Harper, mother of 14-year-traditional Leona Harper, who was among those killed in the explosion, voiced her “deep disappointment” with Minister O’Callaghan’s remarks. O’Callaghan stated at a cross-border policing conference that his priority is “to ensure that justice is delivered,” not “to be sensitive.” [Source: RTÉ]

Harper emphasized the need for the government to listen to the concerns of the bereaved families and survivors, stating she will continue to advocate for her daughter. “Ten people were killed and one of them was my daughter. It’s one of the biggest investigations in the history of the State,” she said. [Source: RTÉ]

Criminal Investigation and the Pursuit of Justice

The explosion occurred on October 7, 2022, at a service station and apartment complex in Creeslough, County Donegal, claiming the lives of four men, three women, and three children. [Source: RTÉ] A primary file was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on September 29, 2025, with a second file expected shortly. [Source: RTÉ]

While the Harper family acknowledges and supports the ongoing Garda criminal investigation, they believe it will only address a portion of their concerns. They stress the importance of addressing “quite personal and private” questions directly with Minister O’Callaghan. [Source: RTÉ]

Concerns Over Scope of Inquiry

Families are similarly expressing concern that a criminal inquiry alone may not provide the full answers and clarity they seek. Shauna Gallagher, sister of Jessica Gallagher (24), who also perished in the explosion, stated the families are not seeking to interfere with the criminal case, “just some acknowledgement that this is happening.” [Source: BBC]

Gallagher voiced concerns that a criminal inquiry’s “yes or no result” will not address the underlying causes of the tragedy. “We need to hear why this has happened, as opposed to the yes or no result at the end,” she said. [Source: BBC]

Minister’s Position and Previous Engagements

Minister O’Callaghan maintains that his focus is on ensuring justice is served through the courts and that potential prosecutions are not jeopardized. He stated he has “no difficulty” meeting with the families but believes it is crucial to allow the criminal investigation to proceed without interference. [Source: RTÉ]

The Harper family previously met with Minister O’Callaghan in December and formally requested a meeting on behalf of the bereaved families. A response from a department official in late February conveyed sympathies but reiterated that the Garda criminal investigation was the “most appropriate process” to address their concerns. [Source: RTÉ]

Echoes of Past Tragedies

The families’ pursuit of answers echoes the experiences of those affected by other tragedies in Ireland, such as the Stardust fire, the Hillsborough disaster, and the Post Office scandal. Antoinette Keegan, a survivor of the 1981 Stardust fire, previously urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to grant the Creeslough families a public inquiry, stating that families should not have to endure similar prolonged waits for answers. [Source: RTÉ]

As families continue to grieve, the search for answers and accountability remains a central focus. Donna Harper affirmed her commitment to campaigning for her daughter, stating, “Leona’s life mattered, so her death should matter too. We will always be her voice. All we want, is to be heard by the Government.” [Source: RTÉ]