Taoiseach pushed on public inquiry into Creeslough explosion

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Taoiseach has said he will meet with the families of those killed and injured in the Creeslough explosion, but said it would be problematic to hold a public inquiry while a criminal investigation is ongoing.

Four men, three women and three children aged between five and 59 died in the explosion at a building complex in the Co Donegal village on October 7th, 2022.

Their families are meeting Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on Wednesday.

At Leaders’ Questions, Micheál Martin was pushed by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald about the lack of progress on a public inquiry.

She said, following a meeting between the family and Justice Minister in April, the lawyer for some of the families said O’Callaghan had “confirmed unequivocally” he will “consider holding an inquest with a senior judge or senior coroner, something similar to Stardust”.

McDonald said “nearly three months later, there’s been no progress, and the families are left feeling they’re in limbo”.

Martin said: “The real issue here at debate is one of what’s the best mechanism to get both answers and accountability and justice.”

He said gardaí have been leading a “tripartite investigation” along with the Health and Safety Authority and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities.

Seven arrests have been made, most recently in September 2025, but no charges have been brought, he said.

“All of the advice I’ve received through the years has been that inquiries could ultimately compromise criminal investigations,” Martin said.

However, McDonald said the former Garda commissioner “offered very strongly the view and advice that there would be no compromising of the criminal investigation in the holding of a public inquiry”.

She added: “Four years on and really the families have to have clarity on the direction of travel from the Government,” and she pressed the Taoiseach to meet with them.

He said he “had no issue” meeting with them and “will meet with them, to be worked out”.

But he reiterated “the viability of having parallel a criminal investigation and the public inquiry at the one time” would be “extremely problematic and challenging”.

The Government wants to see the criminal justice system “bring this to its conclusion”, he said, adding: “We do accept the point to do it in a timely manner.”

He said he is “sure” the Director of Public Prosecutions is “assessing the file and will make its decision”.