Applegreen head expresses sympathy in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy
Applegreen has been working with the team in Creeslough since 2014 and are providing ‘assistance and support’ locally
Print11 October 2022
Joe Barrett, founder and chief executive of Applegreen, has expressed his sympathies for those killed in an explosion at the Creeslough Co. Donegal Applegreen filling station.
In a statement, Barrett said: “Yesterday was a very dark day for Creeslough, for Donegal, for Ireland, and for all of us in the wider Applegreen family. This is a hugely tragic event, and I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased, and to the entire community in Creeslough. We are utterly shocked and saddened at what happened yesterday. I would also like to offer our thanks to the emergency services, and first responders, who are dealing with the incident.
“We have been working with our local partners in Creeslough since 2014. We are providing them with assistance and support locally at this very difficult time. The Applegreen in Creeslough is at the very heart of the village and contains the local post office and supermarket.”
Barrett continued: “Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of Creeslough. Today we mourn those who have lost their lives alongside the entire country. We will continue to assist and support our partners, and the wider Creeslough community, in the days and weeks ahead.”
Michael Skelton, MD of S&W Wholesale also offered his sympathies: “To the community of Creeslough Co Donegal, we are deeply saddened and shocked of the devastating news emerging from Friday evening,” said. “Our thoughts and prayers turn to the families and friends of those injured and those who have sadly lost their lives. I would like to offer our thanks to the emergency services and first responders for their rapidness and tireless work. This store is very much at the heart of Creeslough and this tragic incident will be felt in everyone’s today and beyond.
“We have no doubt that this close-knit community of Creeslough and surrounding areas will come together in this time of hardship. We want you to know that the entire S&W Wholesale and Nearby teams will stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Ten people lost their lives in the blast last Friday, with several more injured in hospital. The victims include five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe and her dad Robert Garwe, 50, as well as Catherine O’Donnell, 39, and her son James Monaghan, 13. Leona Harper, 14, Jessica Gallagher, 24, James O’Flaherty, 48, Martin McGill, 49, Martina Martin, 49 and Hugh Kelly, 59 also lost their lives in the explosion.
An Garda Síochána is continuing its investigation into the cause of the blast. Garda Supt Liam Geraghty said the victims were “all local people” who were “very much involved in the local community”.
After the village lost its only shop in the explosion, people from across Donegal have been donating items to St Michael’s Church in Creeslough. The supplies, which includes essential such as milk, tea, bread, are helping to keep the village of Cresslough going.
Meanwhile, Asda staff members have delivered supplies of everyday items such as condiments, toiletries, cereals to the village, where they are being distributed by the Creeslough Community Day Centre. People can visit the centre from 9am-4pm to collect items.
Books of condolence are being opened across the island of Ireland for the victims of the Creeslough tragedy.
ShelfLife’s thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this tragic event.
Related Articles
Barretstown collaborates with nationwide retailers for Christmas campaign →
Fans 0
Followers