The father of a teenager who died in the Creeslough tragedy has said the lack of answers has made the grieving process harder. 

Ten people died in the explosion at a petrol station in the Donegal village in October 2022.

Gardaí are currently conducting an investigation into the disaster but families have written to Justice Minister Helen McEntee asking for a public inquiry to be carried out at the same time. 

Emergency services continue their work at the scene of the explosion in Creeslough, 08-10-2022. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Hugh Harper’s daughter, Leona, died in the explosion and on Newstalk Breakfast, he described her as a “vibrant, bright, energetic 14-year-old girl”. 

“She loved life, had her future in front of her and is sorely missed,” he said. 

“You would think as time goes on, you would find some solace and peace maybe - but actually, as time goes on, it becomes more difficult.” 

Leona Harper. RIP.ie

With the second anniversary of Leona’s death just days away, Mr Harper said he still has “no idea” what caused the explosion and would like to know if the tragedy  was preventable.

“We live with these questions every day,” he said.  

“Coming up to the second-year anniversary now, we believe now, at this time, there’s information that can start to be shared with the families that won’t harm a criminal investigation that’s being run by the Guards.

“We need answers and we’re looking for them now rather than later.” 

Family grief

Mr Harper said the lack of answers about Leona’s death has made the grieving process more difficult. 

“Leona went to a sleepover in Creeslough; she went to a shop to get an ice cream and she didn’t come out of that shop alive,” he said. 

“We have sat and had a meeting with the coroner to understand and get the reasons surrounding the physical condition of Leona and what caused her death - not the actual cause of the incident but what the injuries were that caused her death. 

“From that, you have multiple, multiple questions that you just need to get answers to that won’t be answered by a Garda investigation.” 

Family members and mourners help carry the coffin of 14-year-old Leona Harper at St Mary's Church in Ramelton, Co Donegal, 13-10-2022. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Mr Harper said the families have a “close relationship” with Gardaí in Donegal and praised them for doing a “good job”. 

Despite this, he feels there are answers a public inquiry will be able to provide that Gardaí simply cannot at this point in time.

“There is information that lies with the investigative bodies that can be shared with the families that will in time help us understand the days leading up to the event - that will give clarity to what exactly happened,” he said. 

“A Garda criminal investigation is basically just looking for a culprit; there’s more to the story than just somebody doing something wrong, somebody being to blame. 

“We need to know those answers.” 

Phoenix Law, which represents the families of seven of the victims, have said that a gas leak is understood to be a “central line of inquiry” in the investigation. 

Main image: Split of Leona Harper and her funeral. Image: RIP.ie and PA Images / Alamy