New plans to rebuild a service station on the site of the Creeslough tragedy have ignited anger and heartbreak among some grieving families.
The reconstruction of the service station is moving forward, a year and a half after 10 people lost their lives at the Applegreen shopping and apartment complex. Families were notified of the intentions of the site owners last month.
Donna Harper, the mother of 14-year-old victim Leona, feels the new detailed plans show little compassion for those affected by the tragedy.
Vivo Shell Ltd’s plans for the new service station have featured in the local media in recent days as they seek planning permission to rebuild a supermarket and petrol station where the explosion occurred in October 2022.
A mock-up image of the development proposes a large shop building with the entrance facing south and pumps in the centre of the site.
Image via Tirconaill Tribune
Claims that the shop will be in a new location to where the original store once stood has left people hurt.
Mrs Harper said it doesn’t go far enough, “It’s the same site, and the fact that the building is relocated just to a different part of the site offers very little compassion when you place a petrol pump in a forecourt on the same place where 10 people lost their lives,” she told Donegal Daily.
“The thought of concrete being poured over where our daughter took her last breath is heartbreaking.
“And what about the poor injured people and all those people traumatised?
“To me, it’s a very sacred holy piece of ground and it’s unbearable what they are doing.”
Donna remains hopeful that the site can be turned into a memorial garden for families to visit.
The parents of young Leona Harper at last October’s vigil in Creeslough. (NW Newspix)
The Lafferty family has operated a convenience store in a temporary location near St Michael’s Church since November 2022.
Developers have expressed hope that their aim to respect the wishes of those affected by the tragedy is evident.
Images of the proposed development show a memorial area of ten lighted poles at the roadside, commemorating the lives lost in the explosion, those injured and the public affected by the tragedy.
Mrs Harper says she cannot accept such a design.
“It’s unbelievable that you would put 10 wee thin poles at the entrance of the shop, to me personally, to see this is what they are thinking of doing, it shows again the lack of compassion,” she said.
“Families have stated, not just myself and my husband, that this needs to be a memorial place that families can go to, whether it’s a memorial park with benches and trees, and maybe a nice thing with the 10 people’s names on it.
“Just to be told this is what they are doing, I can’t put the hurt and pain and suffering into words.”
Donna is not alone in her opposition. A petition opposing the reconstruction of the store and calling for victims to be honoured with a memorial has gathered over 1,100 signatures.
“We are speaking out now because we feel we haven’t been listened to and so do other family members and those injured,” Donna said.
“People are shocked and it’s clear from the outreach I am getting that people are against the plans.
“In the past day, I have been getting messages and comments. There is so much support there from the public, you get a wee bit of comfort from people and they all say this shouldn’t be happening.”