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Robert Garwe and Shauna Flanagan Garwe remembered in Creeslough

Classmates and friends of Shauna were among the mourners present
Aoife Kearns
Aoife Kearns

13.30 15 Oct 2022


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Robert Garwe and Shauna Flanag...

Robert Garwe and Shauna Flanagan Garwe remembered in Creeslough

Aoife Kearns
Aoife Kearns

13.30 15 Oct 2022


Share this article


Crowds gathered at St Michael's Church in Creeslough earlier to say goodbye to the final two victims of last Friday's explosion.

Father and daughter Robert Garwe (50) and Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) were at the Applegreen petrol station to buy a cake for Shauna's mother when they were caught up in the blast.

Classmates and friends of Shauna were among the mourners present in Donegal.

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Shauna had just started junior infants a couple of weeks ago in the local Scoil Mhuire.

Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter, Shauna Flanagan Garwe Robert Garwe and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe. Picture by: rip.ie

Curate at St Michael's Fr John Joe Duffy spoke of the times he saw Shauna and Robert together, as she buzzed along on her little scooter, which was brought to the altar as a gift.

"I'm not sure who could go the fastest on the scooter," he said.

"I know on feet Shauna could outrun her dad; be it at the school gate, be it on the road - where I so often saw them and met with them and talked with them - or b eit indeed in the shop, where she helped to stack the shelves."

Many of Robert Garwe's friends and family traveled here for the funeral, including from the United Kingdom and his native Zimbabwe.

Top row, left to right: Leona Harper (14); Jessica Gallagher (24); James O'Flaherty (48); Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5). Bottom row, left to right: Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son, James Monaghan (13); Martina Martin (49); Hugh Kelly (59) and Martin McGill (49)

Fr Duffy spoke of his great love for his homeland.

"He was so very proud of his family, his Zimbabwean roots; he always liked to keep that link home, proud of his children.

"He just had that friendliness, and keeping fit and keeping well was so important to him."

He said Shauna, Robert and the the other eight victims will forever be in their hearts.

"While our hearts will remain sad for many, many years in this community, we will always know - and hold in a very special place in our hearts - Shauna, Bob and the other eight who have gone before us; knowing that they will forever walk with us," he added.

Around 100 people gathered beside the wreckage of the petrol station for a minute's silence on Friday, to mark one week since the explosion.

Main image: Mourners gather at St Michael's Church in Creeslough, Co Donegal for the funeral service of Robert Garwe and Shauna Flanagan Garwe. Picture by: Aoife Kearns/Newstalk

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Applegreen Creeslough John Joe Duffy Robert Garwe Scoil Mhuire Shauna Flanagan Garwe St Michael's Church Zimbabwe

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