A TG4 documentary on the Creeslough tragedy, which is due to air tonight, has been met with some objection as one of the families affected by the explosion asks the TV station not to air it.
Robert Garwe and his young daughter Shauna were both killed in the blast and today, his partner Áine Flanagan has asked for the piece not to be broadcast tonight.
The horrific incident, which killed 10 people last October, sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond.
Ms Flanagan’s brother, Killian Flanagan, spoke to RTE’s Liveline and said he had contacted TG4 and gardaí to request that it not air while the garda investigation is underway.
Mr Flanagan raised a red flag and said that families were not consulted about the documentary and that his sister had found out about it in an online article.
After discovering there would be a programme aired, which none of them knew anything about, Killian said his sister "hasn’t slept a wink" since.
Families continue to await a conclusion to the multi-agency investigation that is underway, as gardai work to figure out what happened on that day in October 2022.
As a result, Mr Flanagan believes the broadcaster should respect the families and not make them relive the tragedy until they have some answers.
He insisted that they acknowledge that the first responders and the community - who are involved in the production - are heroes.
However, he said, "tomorrow night Áine and others will be forced to look at a one-hour documentary revisiting the worst chapter of their existence, and seeing and hearing things for the first time and it’s not acceptable."
He said his sister is absolutely devastated at the idea of what she is going to see and hear on the programme.
He told Liveline: "This should not be the first representation of what happened.
"Why they would put the needs of sensationalism ahead of the needs of the victims' families, I just don’t get it."
He said there is certainly a more appropriate time for this, and it is after families have had time to process the results of the investigation - when it is complete.
Mr Flanagan added that the idea of the documentary airing tonight is "beyond comprehension" and said he doesn’t understand why it can’t be aired in six months' time.
In a statement, TG4 told RTE News: "The focus of the documentary 'Iniúchadh TG4 - An Craoslach' is to shine a light on the people of the area who assisted in the rescue at the scene of the explosion.
"It contains interviews with some of those who risked their own lives while bringing others to safety. They speak compassionately and sensitively about the roles they played helping others in the face of great adversity.
"The contributors wanted to express their gratitude at how an ordinary community came together at a time of great difficulty to try to assist their friends and neighbours.
"Some of those who took part did so with the knowledge of some of those who lost loved ones. The programme shows the utmost respect for those who lost their lives.
"The programme does not report anything about the victims other than what has already been reported publicly in the direct aftermath of the tragedy."
The statement went on to say that Clean State TV, who created the documentary, is known for its sensitivity in these situations and reiterate that a "highly respected former BBC journalist, Kevin Magee" was part of the team.
Mr Flanagan concluded: "This is too traumatising three months in to put anyone through at this point in time."
The Garda Press Office has also reportedly contacted TG4 to inform channel chiefs of the request from Ms Flanagan’s family.
TG4 have yet to confirm whether or not they will go ahead with the airing of this documentary this evening.
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