Donegal explosion

Fundraising efforts under way to support those affected by Creeslough explosion

An Post launches support fund as online fundraiser passes €80,000

Members of the public as they leave St Michael's Church Creeslough after a Mass as emergency services continue their work at the scene of an explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal, where ten people have now been confirmed dead. Picture date: Saturday October 8, 2022.
Sat Oct 08 2022 - 21:30

An Post has invited the public to donate to a support fund to help those impacted by the Creeslough explosion.

Ten people were killed, including two teenagers and a young girl, following the explosion at a petrol station in the Co Donegal village.

The announcement from An Post came as an online fundraiser set up by someone originally from the village passed €80,000 on Saturday evening.

An Post said people could make donations to the Creeslough Community Support Fund at its 902 post offices nationwide from Monday.

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It said the funds raised would be channelled through the Irish Red Cross to provide help to those bereaved, injured or made homeless by the blast.

Gardai have confirmed that ten people have died in the explosion at Creeslough, four men, three women, a teenage boy and girl, and a young child.

“The An Post board, management and staff across Ireland send their deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to all those who have lost loved ones in the Cresslough tragedy, to those who are injured, to the postmistress and post office staff and all the Creeslough community,” the postal service said in a statement.

“An Post will accept donations for a special Creeslough Community Support Fund at all its 920 Post Offices nationwide from this Monday, October 10th.

“All donations by cash or debit card will be channelled through the Irish Red Cross to provide practical support and services to all those who have been bereaved, injured or made homeless by Friday’s tragedy. There will be no fee payable for making donations.

“An Post and the Irish Red Cross will work with State service providers and local groups to ensure that supports are available to all those who need them in the weeks and months ahead.”

Emergency services at the scene of the explosion at Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Images

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe set up to help the families of the victims had raised €80,000 shortly after 8pm on Saturday evening.

It was set up by Gerard McFadden who lives in Brisbane but is originally from Creeslough.

Mr McFadden posted on the page: “I would like to raise as much funds as possible to help the families of the deceased and injured through these challenging times ahead.

“Thoughts and prayers are with the families and all the community.” – PA