'Unfathomable'- Planning permission granted for development on Creeslough tragedy site

Bereaved Creeslough families will challenge what they call an “insensitive and morally bankrupt decision” by Donegal County Council to grant planning permission at the scene of the 2022 explosion.

The fatal explosion at the building complex in Creeslough, Donegal saw 10 people lose their lives on October 7, 2022.

Planning permission for the development by Vivo Shell Limited was granted on Wednesday for five years with 10 conditions. Families and survivors of the Creeslough explosion had issued a series of objections against the proposed redevelopment of the complex.

The development includes the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a new building which will incorporate a commercial building, shop, post office, off-licence, store, deli, forecourt, and the replacement of underground storage tanks and pumps. The plans also feature a space for a memorial garden.

Phoenix Law, Human Rights Lawyers Belfast, act for a number of the families who have confirmed their intention to challenge this decision.

“It is difficult to comprehend a more insensitive and morally bankrupt decision in recent times,” Darragh Mackin, Partner at Phoenix Law said.

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“Despite the fierce and unrelenting pleas from the families directly affected, the Donegal County Council has placed commercial and business interests above the interests and rights of these families. Such a decision will not be taken lying down. Our clients have today signalled their intention to challenge every aspect of this planning decision in an effort to vindicate their rights and the rights of their loved ones.

“It is unfathomable that the Grenfell Tower or the Stardust nightclub would be rebuilt. Creeslough is no different. This decision seeks to rub salt into the open wounds of these families who have now for a second time in recent months, been compelled to fight for what ought to be very basic rights. But fight they will.

“Questions must be asked when a contentious decision such as this appears in the local media in Donegal before it is even as much as notified to these families. In many ways, this revelation underscores the families’ concerns as to the motivations of the instant decision.”

Five-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe and her father, Robert Garwe (50) lost their lives, as did Catherine O’Donnell (39) and her 13-year-old son, James Monaghan. Leona Harper, aged 14, and Jessica Gallagher (24) were killed along with shop assistant Martina Martin (49). James O’Flaherty (48), Martin McGill (49) and Hugh Kelly (59) were the other victims of the explosion at the commercial and residential complex in the village.

The Council last year sought further information from the applicant and documents which reinforced the company’s plans to proceed were received by the Council just ten days before the second anniversary of the tragedy.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin on behalf of some of the bereaved families wrote a lengthy submission to the council saying that the application “has caused immeasurable hurt to our clients”.

“The site of the explosion is not just a plot of land or a development site, but a place marked by immense loss and emotional trauma,” he said before the decision was made. “It holds significant, painful memories and the sensitivity of any development here should be prioritised above commercial interests.”