Taoiseach says Creeslough families deserve a hearing on their request for investigation
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The families and victims of the Creeslough tragedy deserve an "aboslute hearing", the Taoiseach has said.
However, Simon Harris said the method in which this is carried out would be considered by the Government.
A lawyer representing the next of kin of seven of the 10 victims of the October 2022 blast in the Co Donegal village has written to Justice Minister Helen McEntee asking for an independent investigation to be established.
Their request comes as gardaí continue to investigate the circumstances of the explosion that ripped through the village’s Applegreen service station and a nearby apartment block on the afternoon of Friday, October 7, 2022.
Speaking in New York, Simon Harris said he had an open mind about the forum in which the tragedy is discussed, but that he believes there are questions that need to be answered.
"Creeslough was both a tragedy and a trauma," Mr Harris said.
"None of us can fully comprehend the scale of grief and pain. But also I know for people right across county Donegal, and indeed for people right across Ireland, it was a moment where everyone was stopped in their tracks, and it has left an indelible imprint in the memory in our country.
"I could absolutely understand that families obviously want answers and want information, and there's also very significant questions that need answered. I fully, fully accept that.
"I think the question for Government now to consider is how best to do that, conscious that there are some investigations underway.
"I'm sure Government will consider their proposal.
"We need to keep an open mind. I think we need to engage with what facts are trying to be established by an inquiry, and how that is different from other inquiries or investigations underway."
Also speaking in New York, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that any decision on an inquiry would be dictated by the investigations currently ongoing.
"I think the investigation is not yet complete. There was a garda investigation is my understanding, I think we should await the completion of that, the various health and safety reports, and then whether we need to go forward."