The youngest victim of the petrol station explosion in Ireland was found in her dad's arms, her uncle revealed.
Shauna Flanagan Garwe, five, and her dad Robert Garwe, 50, both died in the blast after they had gone to get mum Aine a birthday cake. Killian Flanagan, Shauna's uncle, said that his sister Aine has been “incredibly strong” in the wake of losing her partner and only child, who had just started primary school a few weeks ago, Belfast Live reports.
He said she was taking comfort from the outpouring of unity and support shown by the small local community, with less than 400 residents in the tiny village popular with tourists. He also hoped that the fact that doting Shauna was found in her dad's arms when their bodies were recovered from the tragic scene would help to soothe the heartbreak.
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Mr Flanagan said: “The other bit of comfort she’ll take I hope is that the emergency workers told her that Shauna and Robert were found with Robert’s arms around Shauna. She was wrapped in her daddy’s care and her daddy’s embrace. And please god, that still remains and he’s keeping her safe wherever they are.”
Asked how mum Aine was doing, Killian told ITV News: “She’s lost her only child and partner. This is devastating.
"But as I said, she’s so strong. A lesser person wouldn’t be able to do what she’s doing at the moment. She knows that Shauna is in her daddy’s arms.
"Shauna started school a few weeks ago, five years of age, the most charming and beautiful girl. You can picture the most mischievous, most lovable five-year-old, think of that and multiply it by two - that was Shauna.”
Shauna loved spending time with her dad Robert, and the pair were often seen out and about together. The youngster had been sick on the day of her mum's birthday last week, so the family had decided to celebrate it on Friday instead.
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced for the father and daughter following the tragedy at the Applegreen filling station in Creeslough, Donegal last Friday.
Mr Flanagan said: “She loved the celebration of every small thing at that age. And it was her mum’s birthday last week. Shauna had a little sniffle. She didn’t go to school on the day of the birthday. So they said let’s celebrate it on Friday. And she plagued and plagued and plagued Robert to take her to the shop to buy a birthday cake for her mum so they could get home and blow out the candles. And he did. And unfortunately, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
According to Mr Flanagan, tragic Robert, originally from Wedza in Zimbabwe, was a “lovely” man who loved the outdoors. He had previously lived in Dublin, and worked in construction. He added: "There’s no other way to describe this except as an awful human tragedy. The area is devastated. It’s beyond belief. You can use all the expressions we all use but this truly is without explanation.”
The tragic tribute came as Ireland and Everton footballer Seamus Coleman paid an emotional tribute to all 10 victims of Creeslough tragedy. The Donegal native said: “I’d like to offer my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones at the devastating tragedy in Creeslough, Co Donegal.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families, the injured and the entire community. Having been born and raised in the county, I know first-hand how tight-knit the communities are.
"The immediate reaction of the emergency services, local residents and passers-by who put themselves at right to help others is an example of the spirit and togetherness of the entire county. May the 10 people who have lost their lives rest in peace: Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Robert Garwe, Leonar Harper, Hugh Kelly, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O’Flaherty, Martina Martin, Catherin O’Donnell, James Monaghan.”
As funerals continue today, candlelit vigils are also taking place across Donegal. Books of condolence have also been opened in towns and cities across Ireland. A GoFundMe for the grieving relatives of those who died has reached over €360,000.
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