Justice Minister Helen McEntee has told the families of those who died and were injured in the Creeslough tragedy that she completely understands their need for an inquiry in the incident.
Ms McEntee met with several families left devastated by the 2022 explosion of 2022 at Government Buildings today.
But she said she would now go an speak with her Government colleagues on the issue.
Gardai continue to investigate the circumstances of the explosion that ripped through a service station and nearby apartment block in the Donegal village on Friday October 7.
Four men, three women and three children, ranging in age from five to 59, died in the blast.
A source close to the families described the meeting as “emotionally charged” and told Donegal that the Minister herself was clearly emotional having heard the families speak about the loss of their loved ones.
Hugh Harper, whose 14-year-old daughter Leona died in the explosion, said the families received a warm welcome from the ministers.
He said the bereaved still had numerous unanswered questions and concerns about the tragedy.
“We have gone through a living nightmare since the 7th of October (2022). Every day we live with this,” he said.
Mr Harper added: “For us to grieve properly, for us to be able to make any attempt to move forward, we need all the answers.”
He said his family’s life had been “torn apart” but expressed hope that the meeting would mean they were a “step closer” to getting an inquiry.
“Today is definitely a step closer with people in that room being able to have their voices heard, their stories told,” he said.
“And the chance to be given the full truth at the end of the day, however long that will take, that will have a huge impact on how we move forward.”
The meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin was attended by Ms McEntee, and fellow Government ministers Charlie McConalogue and Eamon Ryan.
Darragh Mackin, family solicitor, told reporters: “The Minister has not ruled anything out. We now look forward to an urgent decision because the reality is this, time is of the essence now, an election is pending and these families do not have time to give. They want a decision and they want a decision now. “
