HSA Submits Creeslough Explosion Report to DPP
Published on 08/04/2026 at 18:57 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has formally handed its investigation report on the Creeslough explosion to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a significant step in the legal examination of the tragedy that killed 10 people in County Donegal.
The file was transferred on August 4, 2026, nearly four years after the blast on October 7, 2022. The HSA's findings now join investigative files already submitted by the Gardaí and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), allowing the DPP to assess whether criminal proceedings or further legal action are warranted.
A Long Road to Prosecutorial Review
The submission marks the completion of the HSA's portion of the investigation, which focused on workplace and safety regulations. The separate Garda investigation examined the broader circumstances of the explosion.
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With all major investigative bodies now having handed over their findings, the decision on whether to pursue criminal charges rests with the national prosecution service. For the families of those who died, the development brings renewed hope of progress.
Donna Harper, who lost her 14-year-old daughter Leona in the tragedy, said she hopes the submission will lead to tangible movement in the case. The investigation has been a long-standing concern for the local community in Creeslough.
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Families Continue to Push for Public Inquiry
Despite the progress in the criminal investigation, families of the victims continue to advocate for a public inquiry. They have called for a comprehensive and transparent examination of the events leading up to the disaster to ensure all contributing factors are addressed.
The Taoiseach has maintained a consistent position, indicating a preference for the criminal investigation to reach its conclusion before the government considers establishing a public inquiry. This approach aims to avoid any potential interference with the legal process now being handled by the DPP.
