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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kieran Cunningham & Jon Brady

Scots Celtic fan among 10 people killed in Irish petrol station explosion

A Scots Celtic fan is among the 10 people killed in a horrific petrol station explosion in Ireland.

Martin McGill, 49, originally from Glasgow, died following the blast in Creeslough, a village in County Donegal, on Friday afternoon. The Hoops fan had moved to the area many years ago and was known locally as 'Scotch Martin', Buzz.ie reports, and was among the victims whose names were released by Irish police at the weekend.

An image of Martin released through police by his family showed him smiling in a Celtic shirt. Local media reports that Martin had moved to the village to care for his parents, Joseph and Mary, and that his funeral is due to be held on Tuesday October 11.

Martin, of Ard Cois Locha in the village, is survived by Mary, sisters Marie Louise and Caroline, brothers in law, Mathew and Iain, nieces and nephews and extended family and friends. His father Joseph died earlier this year.

It has been reported that Martin had stopped by the petrol station to use the cash machine when the explosion occurred. Local pharmacist Fergus Brennan told the BBC: "[He] was such a special, lovable and friendly young man, very well known and liked around Creeslough."

Martin McGill, originally from Scotland, died in the Creeslough blast (An Garda Siochana /PA Wire)

Mr Brennan added that Martin's mother, Mary, had called the pharmacy to ask if he was there after the explosion. The pharmacist said: "Tragically one of our team went up to [the petrol station] and Martin's car was on the forecourt.

Local businessman Fintan Coll said: "He would be a fella that, if he saw you in trouble, he couldn't pass you. If he was driving along and saw somebody with a flat wheel, Martin would have to stop."

Tributes have been paid to Martin by friends on social media. A pal who grew up near him wrote on Facebook: "Martin, one of the good guys, taken far too soon in this tragic incident on Friday.

"Can't stop thinking about Mary and the rest of the family as I grew up just a few doors away from the McGill's, and was good friends with his sisters.

"I'll always have such fond memories of his cheeky character, such a lovely, friendly guy. Rest in peace, Martin."

A wake for Martin was held in County Donegal today (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Another friend added: "Heartbreaking...so many great memories, an absolute gem of a guy - a gentle giant with a heart of gold. RIP Marty. Thoughts and prayers with all the family."

The explosion has also brought in tributes from other Scots who spent time in the village. Lawrence Donegan, a Glaswegian native who lived in Creeslough for some time, tweeted: "Heartbreaking to read about the explosion in Cresslough, Donegal.

"It's such a special place. Please pray to your God for all the families involved."

Authorities are currently treating the incident as a "tragic accident" (REUTERS/Trevor McBride)

Alongside Martin, the others killed were: Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her 14-year-old son James Monaghan; Robert Garwe, 50, and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe; 14-year-old Leona Harper; Jessica Gallagher, 24; James O’Flaherty, 48; Martina Martin, 49, and 59-year-old Hugh Kelly

Around 20 wakes were organised across County Donegal to allow people to pay tribute to the victims of the explosion. The PA news agency reports that the blast, which injured eight other people including one critically, is currently being treated as a "tragic accident" by gardai investigators.

In a message to Irish president Michael D Higgins, King Charles III expressed his "most heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences". Prime Minister Liz Truss expressed "deepest sympathies" for "the entire community of Creeslough".

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