Victims of Cresslough tragedy remembered at county finals

A minute's silence is being observed before this weekend's county finals to remember the lives lost and those injured in the tragedy unfolding in Cresslough, Donegal.

Flags at Pairc Tailteann were flying at half mast ahead of today's IHC Final clash between Dunderry and Rathmolyon.

Nine people have now been confirmed dead following an explosion at a filling station in the Donegal village of Cresslough on Friday.

An Garda Síochána continue to work with other emergency services at the scene.

Locals described hearing the blast from miles around following the incident at a premises on the N56 at Creeslough.

Gardaí and Emergency Services remain at the scene in a search and recovery phase of this operation.

The search and recovery for further fatalities continues.

An Garda Síochána continue to request that any road users intending to travel to the Creeslough area for any reason consider alternative routes as Emergency Services continue to deal with this ongoing incident. Traffic diversions remain in place at this time.

President Michael D Higgins said his shock would be shared by all people throughout the country on learning of the terrible tragedy which has unfolded in Creeslough, Co Donegal.

"All of our thoughts must go out to all of those who have been affected. Those who have received news of the loss of a loved one, those injured and, most of all, those who are waiting with anxiety for news of their loved ones.

"This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit and where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond.

"Special tribute must be paid to those members of the local community and emergency services across the island who have reacted so swiftly to the scene of the explosion and have continued to work through the night.

"All of our best thoughts and prayers go to those who have lost their lives and their families.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has expressed sympathies with the community of Creeslough, Co Donegal and offered full support to emergency workers.

Local resident Marie Duffy said the mental health of the community will be tested in the weeks and months ahead.

Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Katie Hannon, she said Creeslough is a small, tightknit community where "everybody knows everybody".

"Something like this devastates communities for years and years. I know there's great work being done by local services to provide counselling and support to young people and the community," she said.

"I just hope that people realise that it's not just in the weeks ahead that people are going to need support.

"The reality of this may not hit for a while. You may not need support right now but you may need it in the future. Reach out for it."

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:

“Our deepest sympathies are firstly with the families who have tragically lost a loved one following yesterday’s incident in Creeslough. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.

“Our thoughts and solidarity are with our colleagues across the emergency services who have been working on the scene since yesterday. In the middle of a terrible tragedy, emergency services and Letterkenny University Hospital staff are doing all they can to support the bereaved and the wider community of Creeslough.

“INMO members in Donegal are now operating in extremely difficult circumstances. Our Organisation will continue to offer our full support and solidarity with our members in the North-West in the extremely difficult days and weeks ahead.”