Doctors in a village in County Donegal are working to help people heal emotionally as the villagers get ready to remember the one-year anniversary of an explosion that tragically took the lives of 10 people.
A big explosion occurred at the Apple green gas station in Creeslough on October 7, 2022.
The only store in the village and part of an apartment building got destroyed.
The people who were hurt or killed were from the village or nearby places.
The Irish police, known as Gardaí, are still investigating and do not yet know the reason.
A ceremony will happen on Saturday at the place where the explosion occurred, at 3:00 PM local time. This event will honor and remember the people who died.
There will be a special gathering in St. Michael’s Church to remember and honor the victims, families, and first responders.
Creeslough is a little town in the northwest of Ireland. It is located around 15 miles away from Letter kenny and 30 miles from the border with Northern Ireland.
There are around 400 people living there.
The community is still sad.
Dr Paul Stewart, a doctor at the Dunfanaghy Health Centre, said that the people in the area are still trying to understand what happened last October.
Many people in the village are still using the grief support and counseling services that were provided.
“The town feels sad and quiet, still not fully recovered, and it’s uncertain how much longer that will continue,” he expressed.
Dr Stewart said that many people are feeling frustrated because the investigation is taking too long. They want to know what caused the explosion.
“I believe that seeking answers is an important part of the healing journey,” he said.
The Irish police, known as Gardaí, have started investigating over 1,350 possible leads and have gathered information from over 900 people after the explosion.
‘She didn’t come back to her home. ‘
Fashion designer Jessica Gallagher was supposed to begin a new job in Belfast the following week when the explosion occurred.
Jessica went to school in Paris to study design. Now she is excited to start a new phase in her life.
“Her mother Bernie said that she had her case packed with all her things and she had found a place to stay. ”
“She did not come back home, she never returned. ”
The night before she passed away, Jessica had a late birthday dinner with her boyfriend and stayed in his apartment next to the gas station.
This was the final time her mother ever saw her.
Bernie was at home when she heard a really loud explosion about a mile away. Without thinking, she quickly ran to the place where it happened.
She remembered that she called her, but she didn’t answer.
“Aman and woman with a child gave me a ride and I was eager to leave the car because I wanted to find her. “
Bernie had to wait for a longtime, and then she was shown her daughter’s dead body.
“It feels like yesterday even though a whole year has passed. “
Jessica traveled to many places because of her skills, but her family said that she always had a deep connection to Creeslough.
Her father Anthony said that she would often use things from home, like the Muckish mountain that looked over the village, in her designs.
“I believe that when a young person doesn’t reach their full potential, it is a major loss for their family,”stated Anthony.
“We are having difficulty understanding why a girl who traveled all around the world was killed only a mile away from her home. “
Anthony thinks of his youngest daughter as very brave and extremely faithful.
She had a strong desire to do something important in the world and make a positive impact.
Leona Harper was only14yearsold when she died in the tragedy that happened last year.
She was going to buy icecream for a sleepover with her friends when she talked to her mother Donna for the last time.
The last thing I said to her was,”Okay Leona, I love you. We’ll talk tonight. “She said,”I love you too,Mammy. “That was our last conversation.
“I will always remember this as a joyful moment because she was happy. “
‘She enjoyed and appreciated living. ‘
Leona was found later than most people after the explosion occurred.
“[We were] waiting all night and the next morning,hoping to get Leona back. We prayed that we would get her back,” said her father, Hugh.
“We were able to bring her back, but it didn’t happen the way we hoped for. “
Hugh talked about the very sad moment when he had to recognize his daughter.
As a parent, one of the hardest things for me is knowing that one of my children has passed away. It is a very difficult and painful experience that I hope I never have to go through again.
Leona was highly valued and loved not only by her family and their group but also by her favorite Letter kenny Rugby Club.
“She enjoyed the little things in life that many people don’t value, and she has taught me to see their worth,” Hugh said.
The family also thanked the people in Donegal and surrounding areas for their support after the tragedy.
The local bishop, Alan McGuckian,agreed with this feeling and said that the people in the community had come together to support each other over the past year.
However, families were very afraid and worried about the arrival of the first anniversary.
“People in Creeslough area ware that they will hold on to this and it will be remembered by future generations,” he said to BBC News NI.
Everyday people have faced challenges together and supported each other. They will continue to do so in the future.