A fund set up in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy which raised almost €700,000 has been shared amongst those affected by the explosion.
Ten people died following the explosion at the Applegreen Service Station on October 7th last.
Jessica Gallagher, Robert Garwe, his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Leona Harper, Hugh Kelly, Martina Martin, Martin McGill, Catherine O’Donnell, her son James Monaghan and James O’Flaherty all died in the blast.
Local man Gerard McFadden was so touched by the tragedy that he immediately set up a GoFundMe campaign which raised a staggering €693,382.60.
Last weekend, Mr McFadden, who lives in Brisbane, Australia, distributed the funds which came to €661,425.28 after legal and GoFundMe fees.
The money was distributed to the families of those who lost their lives and also those who were injured in the horrific incident.
Mr McFadden said he simply wanted to help the families of the deceased and those left in hospital with injuries.
However, the response was nothing like he could have imagined.
He added “Thanks to all who supported the GoFundMe and all those who held fundraising events within the GoFundMe campaign, our friends across Ireland, England, Australia and America who helped share it among their businesses and communities,” Gerard said.
“The response was overwhelming and we are happy to distribute the funds raised to where it is intended and be shared among the families of the deceased and injured.
“I’d just like to thank everyone and again offer my sincere condolences to all the bereaved families and a speedy recovery to all those injured in the tragedy.”
Mr McFadden thanked Colin Kilpatrick, Bernard, Patrick Long and Dean McLaughlin from Trucking For Creeslough, John Ross Molloy on behalf of Walk With Me, Tony McGowan Run Committee, the 66th Infantry group UNDOF Syria organised by Corporal John Gallagher of the 28th Infantry Battalion, Anthony Langan on behalf of the Endoscopy Department at Letterkenny University Hospital, Doe Amateur Swimming Club, Michelle Doherty from her Dublin Marathon, Creeslough Childcare, the Ozanam Centre in Dunfanaghy, Christine Gallagher in New York, Donald Craig, The Workhouse Dunfanaghy, Letterkenny Liverpool Supporters Club, The Creeslough Day Centre, St John Bosco Centre in Donegal town and Raymond McFarland and friends who ran the Dublin Marathon, Donal Mcgettigan on behalf of the Donegal Vintage and Classic Car Club and Vincent O’Rourke on behalf of the North West Donegal Vintage Club.
The campaign started by Mr McFadden from Ards, Creeslough was the second largest fundraising event in Ireland on the platform in 2022.
A Garda investigation into the cause of the explosion is still ongoing with hundreds of statements already taken as part of the investigation.
