The priest at the centre of the Creeslough tragedy has asked the nation to take a moment and remember those who perished in the Co Donegal explosion at the exact time the disaster happened two years ago this month.
Ten people died when a huge blast ripped through the Applegreen Service Station in the village two years ago, at exactly 3.17pm on Friday, October 7, 2022.
As the second anniversary of the tragedy approaches, Fr John Joe Duffy appealed for people to take time out and to think of those who died and their families at that very time.
The families of Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O'Flaherty, Martina Martin, Hugh Kelly and 14-year-old Leona Harper will gather at the site of the tragedy to remember their lost loved ones.
Fr Duffy, who has been a pillar of strength for the entire community since the day of the horrific incident, said the community of Creeslough will be as one next Monday. But he also urged people wherever they are at 3.17pm next Monday to join in unity with the families in their own way.
He said: "Our entire parish community will be remembering Shauna, James, Leona, Jessica, Catherine, James, Martina, Martin, Robert and Hughie throughout this weekend, as we do every day. The bell of St. Michael's Church will ring in solemn memory of Shauna, James, Leona, Jessica, Catherine, James, Martina, Martin, Robert and Hughie at 3.17pm on Monday the 7th October; the very time of the tragedy that has impacted on so many.
"St Michael's Church invites everyone to join with us in remembering and praying for those that are bereaved and impacted by this tragedy. Your unity with us can be done from your own homes on Monday at 3.17pm, by joining with us in silent prayer for those who tragically died, for their loved ones, for their families and for their friends and our wider communities.
"I also ask you to keep in prayer those who were injured in the Creeslough tragedy, those affected by it in any way, for those who lost their homes. The journey of healing will continue and we remain strong for one another."
Mass will be offered on Saturday evening October 5 at 7.30pm. In addition, a prayer service will take place in St. Michael's Church on Monday evening, October 7 at 7pm for those who died in the tragedy.
Families will be remembering their departed loved ones in their own personal, private and family ways as they have been doing each and every day since the tragedy of two years ago, added Fr Duffy.
As the second anniversary draws nearer, the families of seven of the ten victims have demanded that an independent inquiry be held to determine the cause of the explosion which claimed the lives of their loved ones.
The families say they also want to help to prevent such a tragedy occurring again. Their legal representative has written to the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, demanding such an inquiry.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said in recent days that a file of investigation into the Creeslough explosion is nearing completion. He added that Gardaí are almost ready to submit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).