Carthy conveys sympathies to people of Cresslough in Dáil statements – Matt Carthy TD
Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, spoke on behalf of his party during statements in the Dáil on Tuesday following the horrendous tragedy that took place in Creeslough, Co. Donegal last Friday.
Carthy, who as MEP represented the area, conveyed the deepest sympathies of Sinn Féin to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and to the wider affected community. He paid tribute to those who assisted in the recovery operation.
Deputy Carthy said:
“Of course, there are no words that could properly express the heartbreak, pain and sorrow felt by so many. Ten precious lives gone. A small community devasted.
“The shock from this small village was felt across Ireland and beyond. Irish people everywhere are stunned, many feeling that Creeslough could be our community, our place, our loved ones.
“Like many deputies I am very familiar with Creeslough, having family living close by and having the honour of representing the area as their MEP. Creeslough is well known to people from across Ireland and further afield as many will have spent time there in what is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
“Until last Friday afternoon our enduring memories of Creeslough were happy ones, thoughts of a welcoming, friendly, community which made everyone feel at home.
“And, while the nation was shocked by the tragedy that has scarred that village forever, none of us were surprised by the instinctive reaction of those first on the scene.
“The response of the community in Creeslough has been immense. Minutes after the explosion people came to help clear a path and secure the building so firefighters could get access.
“They did this without any thought to their own safety; local nurses stayed on the scene all night helping where they could, neighbours opened their doors to locals and strangers alike and small businesses went well beyond the call of duty to support all those who came to help.
“Fr John Joe Duffy has been an incredible leader in his community and our solidarity is with him as he leads his parish in the coming days.
“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I want to pay tribute to our emergency services, north and south – our Gardaí, our firefighters, civil defence, ambulance personnel, doctors and paramedics – some of whom put their own lives on the line throughout Friday night as the search continued. The pain etched on their faces on Saturday evening as they talked about what had unfolded, the acts of bravery over many long hours as the search went on and the harrowing outcome. What they did in Creeslough will never be forgotten, not in that small community or anywhere else in our land.
“Today the families of Jessica Gallagher and Martin McGill have the awful task of burying their loved ones.
“The unspeakable grief will continue this week as the families of Leona Harper, Robert Garwe & little Shauna Flanagan Garwe, James O’Flaherty, Martina Martin, Hugh Kelly, Catherine O’Connell & James Monaghan will walk with their loved ones to their final resting place.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the difficult days that lie ahead.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha”.
ENDS
