A five-year-old girl and her dad out buying a birthday cake for her mum were among at least 10 killed in an explosion at a petrol station in Donegal.
A mum and son who called to the shop on the way home from school, and a man using the ATM, were also among those feared killed in the blast
Gardai said four men, three women, a teenage boy and the girl died following the incident at Creeslough on Friday.
READ MORE: LIVE: Young girl among 10 dead in major explosion at Donegal Applegreen as horror details emerge
They have officially been named as James O Flaherty, 48 years, Jessica Gallagher, 24 years, Martin McGill, 49 years, Catherine O Donnell, 39 years and her son James Monaghan, 13 years, Hugh Kelly, 59 years, Martina Martin, 49 years, Robert Garwe, 50 years, and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 5 years, Leona Harper, 14 years.
One of eight people injured in the blast in hospital was airlifted to a burns unit in Dublin where their condition is described as critical.
In an update on Sunday afternoon, a Garda spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána continue to investigate all of the circumstances into the cause of a fatal explosion at a premises in Creeslough, County Donegal on Friday 7th October, 2022.
"The Garda Technical Bureau, with assistance from other agencies, will continue to examine the scene, which remains cordoned off. These examinations are likely to continue over the coming days. Traffic diversions on the N56 at the scene of the incident remain in place.
"A total of 10 fatalities have been confirmed arising from this fatal explosion. The remains of the deceased are at Letterkenny University Hospital where State Post Mortems have commenced under the direction of Dr. Heidi Okkers, Assistant State Pathologist. These Post Mortems will continue over the next few days. Results will not be released for operational reasons.
"One male in his 20s remains in a critical condition in St. James Hospital, Dublin. The 7 other surviving casualties continue to receive treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital and remain in stable condition.
"Garda Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to the families and are continuing to provide support and information."
With consent of the families, gardai confirmed the identities of the deceased as follows:
James O'Flaherty, 48 years
Jessica Gallagher, 24 years
While Jessica Gallagher, 24, died, it has also been reported her boyfriend is critically ill.
Paying tribute to Jessica, relative John McGeady wrote on Facebook : “RIP. I’m sure you’re all heard about the gas explosion in Creeslough.Unfortunately our cousin Anthony Gallagher has lost his daughter Jessica in the explosion.
“Jessica was in the same year at school as my daughter Flonnuala. Our thoughts are with her parents and two sisters and also so with all the friends and families of all the other victims of this disaster.”
Martin McGill, 49 years
Martin McGill is understood to be a cousin of the wife of former Donegal football team manager Jim McGuinness, reports the Sunday World.
Catherine O Donnell, 39 years and her son James Monaghan, 13 years
Hugh Kelly, 59 years
Martina Martin, 49 years
It’s understood Martina Martin was a shop worker
Letterkenny Athletic Club Juveniles paid tribute online, writing: “The LAC Community would like to offer our deepest Condolences to our Club Juvenile Coach Kathyrn Mcdevitt on the tragic loss of her sister Martina (nee Russell) Martin, and all the Russell/Martin Families during this difficult time.
“Sending thoughts and prayers to all whose lives have been affected by the terrible tragedy In Creeslough Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days ahead.”
Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 5 years
Little Shauna and her dad were reportedly out buying a birthday cake for her mum when the tragedy occured.
Robert Garwe, 50 years
Leona Harper, 14 years
Rugby player, Leona Harper, 14, died while picking an ice cream from the petrol station shop, before she planned to head to a sleepover with friends in Creeslough.
Her heartbroken brother, Anthony Harper, paid a moving tribute to her on Facebook last night.
He said: “I don’t know where to begin Leona. I couldn’t have asked for a better little sister. You would go mad for me putting this up of you now because it’s an old picture of you.
"Leona I love you so much and we all love you so much.”
Her death was announced by Letterkenny Rugby Club, who said she was an “important” part of their U14s team.
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