Creeslough: Two men (50s) arrested in relation to 2022 explosion that killed 10 people

Two men in their 50s have been arrested in relation to a fatal explosion in Creeslough, Co Donegal in 2022.

Ten people died in the explosion at the local Applegreen service station on Friday, October 7th that year. Those who died in the blast were aged between five and 59 years old.

In a statement on Friday, a Garda spokesman said the investigation into the fatal explosion continues, co-ordinated from Milford Garda station, where an incident room is established under a senior investigating officer.

The investigation continues to be led by local gardaí in the Donegal division, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies, including the Health & Safety Authority and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities.

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On Friday, gardaí arrested two males, both aged in their 50s, for alleged offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Both men are currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at separate Garda stations in Co Donegal

[ ‘Like the heart was ripped out of the village’: one year on from the Creeslough disaster ]

The Irish Times understands no planned or deliberate criminal activity is being investigated by the Garda in the case. Instead, the manner in which the gas system was being run and maintained is at the centre of the criminal investigation.

Garda investigators have worked alongside health and safety personnel and specialists in explosion inquiries to try to determine exactly how the blast occurred and the reasons for it.

They have examined the condition of the gas-delivery system, from source to point of use in each apartment in the vicinity of the service station, on the day of the explosion in a bid to pinpoint how the tragedy occurred.

The system includes all the infrastructure that stored the gas, delivered it for use through pipes into each unit in the block where the explosion occurred and the infrastructure at the point of use in each apartment.

It is understood the two suspects are from the local area.

They are being investigated for endangerment, which is defined in legislation as intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct “which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.”

The offence carries a maximum of seven years on conviction.

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