Roughly 2,000 gathered for a ceremony in Creeslough, Co Donegal, to remember the 10 victims of a gas explosion one year ago. 

A minute of silence was held at exactly 3.17pm, when the fatal explosion went off one year ago today. 

The names of each victim were also read out and a bell was rang 10 times. 

Gardaí, members of the National Ambulance Service and the Northern Irish K9 Search and Rescue unit who were at the scene of the explosion attended the ceremony today. 

People pay their repects at the memorial on honour of those that died in the Creeslough explosion a year ago, 07/10/2023. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue attended the ceremony. 

A vigil will also be held at St. Michael's Church to remember those who died and those who were injured and to give thanks to emergency services. 

Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, 14-year-old Leona Harper, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O’Flaherty, Martina Martin and Hugh Kelly were killed in the explosion. 

Donna Harper, mother of Leona Harper pays her respect at the memorial on honour of those that died in the Creeslough explosion a year ago, 07/10/2023. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Community Links Officer Majella McFadden said there is still much healing to be done in Creeslough. 

“Whilst we are so mindful of the families and the grief and the pain that they are going through right now, our community spirit is shining through,” she said. 

“Creeslough has always been, and I believe will be, a very strong community - our resilience has shone through this past year, and we will hope to continue that. 

“Today we're focusing on the families and just giving them the space that they need to grieve - everybody's at different stages of grief. 

“It hit us all and I think just to get over this first year anniversary, and to be there for them over the coming months and years.” 

Donna Harper, mother of Leona Harper pays her respect at the memorial on honour of those that died in the Creeslough explosion a year ago, 07/10/2023. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

President Michael D Higgins paid tributes to those who died today and praised the local community. 

“It is so appropriate that this occasion is being remembered as a great tribute not only to those who were lost, but to the community that had held them at its heart,” he said. 

The people of Creeslough were named the ‘Donegal Person of the Year’ in April. 

The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. 

An Garda Síochána said it is continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the fatal explosions.  

Some 1,350 lines of enquiry have been established, according to Gardaí, as well as 900 individual statements taken - but they have yet to share any of their conclusions publicly.