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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

What we know about the cause of the Creeslough tragedy as further 'heartwrenching' funerals take place

An examination of the scene of the Cresslough tragedy, which saw ten people lose their lives and further eight seriously injured, has begun in Co Donegal to determine the cause of the explosion.

The local community has been left devastated following the explosion at the complex, which contained a number of residential apartments and an Applegreen service station and convenience store.

Experts are now trying to determine the recent history of any works carried out by contractors at the apartments and service station, according to the Independent.

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A list of work and inspections is being compiled to establish the status of the latest safety certificates that were issued.

Contractors are obliged to register such works with regulatory bodies for their industries and professions.

It is hoped that from these documents, investigators will be able to piece together what gas and electricity systems were contained in the building and ultimately find what caused the explosion.

It is understood that a gas leak remains the most likely cause of the blast, but investigators are trying to establish if a mobile gas source could have been on site at the time.

Meanwhile, the funerals of the ten victims who lost their lives continue today.

Jessica Gallagher, a 24-year-old fashion designer with a bright future ahead of her, and Martin McGill, a 49-year-old devoted carer, were laid to rest on Tuesday following an emotional send off.

The funeral of James O'Flaherty, a 48-year-old engineer originally from Sydney, living in Dunfanaghy with his wife and son, took place at Teach Pobail Mhuire in the Gaeltacht village of Na Doirí Beaga on Wednesday morning.

James O'Flaherty, 48 years (Gardai)

A large crowd of mourners assembled for the service.

Gifts were presented to the altar at the beginning of the mass to reflect James' life.

A Roald Dahl book, "Going Solo", was brought up, which James and his son Hamish had been reading together before his untimely death.

Hamish had been waiting for his dad in the car when he entered the shop before the heartbreaking explosion.

A box of chocolates were also brought up to reflect his sweet tooth.

President Michael D Higgins attended the funeral and will also attend the funerals of mother-and-son Catherine O'Donnell and 13-year-old James Monaghan in Creeslough later on Wednesday.

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