Eileen Magnier on life after RTÉ: ‘A year on, I have never felt so healthy, so free and so energised'
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Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Eileen Magnier on life after RTÉ: ‘A year on, I have never felt so healthy, so free and so energised'
For a couple of years before I retired, I knew the day was coming when I would have to quit. The devastating loss of close family members, the impact of the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal, and some niggling health issues were all nudging me towards the exit door a few years early.
Irish Times
26-07-2025
- Irish Times
Creeslough: Lawsuits filed by survivors and relatives
Further lawsuits have been filed by survivors and relatives of victims of the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal almost three years ago. The cases, which are understood to be mostly personal injury actions, have been brought against the operators of the Applegreen service station and a management company for neighbouring apartments. Donegal County Council, Vivo/Shell Limited, Applegreen Limited, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and members of the Lafferty family are among the co-defendants in the recently filed cases. The families of victims Leona Harper (14) and Martina Martin (49) are the plaintiffs. READ MORE [ Creeslough: 'I can't get my head around how a site can be built on when there's a criminal investigation' Opens in new window ] The explosion at the Applegreen service station on October 7th, 2022 claimed the lives of 10 people. The victims of the incident also included James O'Flaherty (48), Jessica Gallagher (24), Martin McGill (49), Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13), Hugh Kelly (59), Robert Garwe (50) and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5). A number of other personal injury actions have been initiated over recent months. Photos issued by An Garda Síochána of (top row, left to right): Leona Harper (14), Robert Garwe (50), Shauna Flanagan Garwe (5) Jessica Gallagher (24) and James O'Flaherty (48). Bottom row, left to right: Martina Martin (49), Hugh Kelly (59), Catherine O'Donnell (39) with her son James Monaghan (13), and Martin McGill (49). The 10 victims of explosion at Applegreen service station in Creeslough, Co Donegal, on Friday, October 7th, 2022. Several families who lost loved ones in the explosion have called on the Government to set up a public inquiry into the tragedy. Donegal County Council supported a motion last year seeking the establishment of one. A Garda investigation into the explosion is ongoing. A number of families also wrote to the former minister for justice Helen McEntee asking for an independent investigation to be established. Speaking last year, then tánaiste Micheál Martin said: 'The investigation is not yet complete, there is a Garda investigation outstanding. I think we should await the completion of that in the first instance, and the various health and safety reports and then assess where we need to go forward. It is a terrible tragedy and does need the fullest examination but I would like to see the outcomes of the investigation.'
Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Irish Times
Creeslough: Planning permission refused for petrol station site of explosion in which 10 people died
An Coimisiún Pleanála has overturned a grant of planning permission for a new filling station on the site of the explosion in Creeslough , Co Donegal, in which 10 people died. Donegal County Council granted permission in February to Vivo Shell Limited to redevelop a service station and shop at the site. The decision was appealed by a number of family members of those killed in the October 2022 blast. An Coimisiún Pleanála on Friday turned down the application. READ MORE The planning authority said the proposed plan was 'out of character' with its surroundings in the village. The body said 'Having regard to the existing character and the prevailing pattern of development in Creeslough, it is considered that the proposed development (as amended), by reason of its overall architectural treatment, scale and design, would be out of character with its surroundings, would seriously detract from the architectural character and setting of Creeslough and the streetscape and approach from Letterkenny generally.' The authority said the proposed development would be contrary to the County Development Plan. 'To permit the proposed scheme (as amended) at this prominent location could have such a negative effect on the visual amenity and local character of Creeslough as to negatively impact on the wider, long-term regeneration and renewal of the village. [ Creeslough: 'I can't get my head around how a site can be built on when there's a criminal investigation' Opens in new window ] 'The proposed development would, therefore, seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' The proposed rebuild had allowed for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new structure that includes a shop, post office, deli, off-licence, and fuel forecourt. A memorial garden and light-based sculpture with 10 metal poles commemorating those who perished in the tragedy was also planned for the site. Many of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy, however, said this was an insult to their memory considering they died in the metal and rubble of the blast. One bereaved family member said: 'This is terrific news. When we got the news yesterday that there would not be an oral hearing we were so disappointed and feared the worst. 'We simply do not want a new service station on the site in which our loved ones died.'
