Mother of Youngest Creeslough Victim Reflects on Tragic Loss
A mother shares the profound grief and lingering guilt following the death of her daughter and husband in the Creeslough disaster.
The mother of the youngest victim of the Creeslough disaster has spoken about the profound heartache and misplaced guilt she carries following the explosion that claimed the lives of her five-year-old daughter, Shauna Flanagan Garwe, and her husband, Robert.
Áine Flanagan, who turned 60 on Monday, recounted the devastating loss, stating that the pain is almost unbearable. Shauna and Robert were at the Applegreen service station in Creeslough, County Donegal, on October 7, 2022, to pick out a birthday cake for Áine. It was a "simple act of love" that ended in tragedy.
The explosion at the service station killed ten people and injured many others. The youngest victim, Shauna, died alongside her father. The cause of the blast was attributed to a catastrophic failure of a domestic bulk gas tank that had been converted for commercial use.
Ms. Flanagan described the moments leading up to the incident, noting that her daughter had been excited about choosing her own cake. The suddenness of the event and the loss of two loved ones have left her with enduring grief. She also spoke of the guilt she feels, questioning if there was anything she could have done to prevent the tragedy, a sentiment she knows is irrational but struggles to overcome.
The Creeslough explosion remains a deeply traumatic event for the community. Investigations into the incident highlighted safety concerns regarding bulk gas storage and conversion processes. The disaster prompted calls for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar occurrences.
Among the other victims were 13-year-old James Monaghan, who died with his mother Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and Hugh Harper, the father of 14-year-old Leona Harper. The community has since worked towards recovery and remembrance, honoring the lives lost in the devastating event.