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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Hand

Friends and family rally round wife and son of Creeslough explosion victim James O'Flaherty

Mourners paid their respects to a grieving wife and son of one of the ten victims of the Donegal explosion this morning.

James O'Flaherty, 48, tragically died in the Applegreen blast in Creeslough, Donegal on Friday.

His wife Tracey and son Hamish were comforted by relatives and friends at the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest in Letterkenny today.

Read More : Schoolkids in lucky escape from Creeslough explosion

A guard of honour was formed by Tracey's colleagues from Letterkenny University Hospital, where she works as a nurse, outside the building as tragic James' coffin was carried out to the hearse.

Grieving Tracey and Hamish travelled in the same car as the coffin to Roarty's Funeral Home, Derrybeg. James' remains will then be removed on Tuesday night to the family home in Dunfanaghy to repose overnight.

His funeral mass takes place on Wednesday in St Mary's Church, Derrybeg at 11am, with burial afterwards in Magheragallon Cemetery.

James is originally from Sydney in Australia but had lived in Dunfanaghy with his family.

His funeral notice reads: "The tragic death occurred, in Creeslough, of James O'Flaherty, Rinclevan, Dunfanaghy, originally of Sydney, Australia. Predeceased by his parents Brendan & Stella O'Flaherty.

"Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife Tracey (née O'Donnell), son Hamish, brother John, sister-in-law Serena and children Amber & Ebony (O'Flaherty), mother-in-law & father-in-law Margaret & Patrick O'Donnell, brother-in-law Odhran O'Donnell & partner Megan, sister-in-law Joanne Devenney & her husband Brian and children Áiria, Seren & Raenah (Devenney).

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."

A guard of honour was formed by Tracey's colleagues from Letterkenny University Hospital, where she works as a nurse (Mick O'Neill)

A wake for Martin McGill, who was a carer for his mother, is being held at his home in St Michael's Terrace, Creeslough today after his body was released back to his family last night.

The 49-year-old, who was a huge Celtic supporter, will be laid to rest on Wednesday.A wake is also being held today for 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher, a native of Creeslough.

Ms Gallagher had been visiting her boyfriend, who is understood to be the man in critical care in St James' Hospital in Dublin, in an apartment on Friday above the service station when the explosion occurred.

She graduated with an Honours degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from The International Fashion Academy in Paris.

She also studied in a Fashion Design College in Shanghai before she recently took up a position as a Fashion Designer in Belfast, where she had been living.

Today, the house is strictly private to family, neighbours and friends only. Her funeral takes place at St Michael’s Church, Creeslough, on Tuesday morning at 11am.

Robert Garwe, 50, his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, along with Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her 13 year-old son James Monaghan died in the tragedy.

The blast also saw Leona Harper who was aged just 14, Hugh Kelly, 59, as well as Martina Martin, 49, lose their lives.
Eight others are in hospital with one man in his 20s fighting for his life.

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