Gardaí are pursuing more than 500 lines of enquiry in their investigation into the Creeslough explosion.
A further court extension has been granted to preserve the scene where 10 people died following an explosion on Friday 7th October. The extension has been granted until 27th November to allow investigators to ‘preserve, search for and collect evidence’ to facilitate the investigation.
The current road closure on the N56 through Creeslough will remain in place.
Due to the structural instability of the building, the site continues to be closely monitored as forensic examinations continue.
Gardaí outlined details of the extensive investigation this evening. They said house to house enquiries are at an “advanced stage” and a canvass of further witnesses remains ongoing.
More than 260 statements have been taken, interviews are continuing daily and more than 500 lines of enquiry have been actioned.
“Numerous items have been recovered from the scene to date, with an amount of these requiring further testing, This is ongoing and it is likely that further items will be recovered for examination over the coming days,” a spokesperson said.
A Garda Mobile Command Unit remains at scene where a large amount of CCTV is being reviewed.
DNV – Det Norske Veritas – a global company specialising in the investigation and testing of energy systems, remain on site.
This investigation is being co-ordinated from Milford Garda station where an Incident Room has been established under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed upon and signed between An Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to facilitate the sharing of information and resources between the agencies.
The Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) Crime Scene Managers also remain on scene assisting the investigation.
The spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána would like to thank the local community in Creeslough, Co. Donegal and the general public for their ongoing assistance in the investigation of this explosion. An Garda Síochána understands and appreciates the impact on the community and the ongoing inconvenience and disruption caused due to the continuing scene preservation which is necessary to assist the investigation. An Garda Síochána, again, thanks the local community for their patience and support regarding the current road traffic diversions.”
“An Garda Síochána’s thoughts continue to be with the families of the deceased of this fatal explosion and the injured and their families. An Garda Síochána is working diligently and as expeditiously as possible, in the circumstances, to ensure that all the circumstances of this fatal explosion are professionally investigated.”