Darragh Mackin

Four men, three women and three children died in the explosion at an Applegreen service station and neighbouring apartment complex in the Co Donegal village on 7 October 2022.

Donegal County Council has now approved a controversial proposal from Vivo Shell Limited to redevelop a service station at the site.

Phoenix Law has been instructed by a number of victims’ families to challenge the “insensitive and morally bankrupt” decision to grant planning permission.

Partner Darragh Mackin said: “Despite the fierce and unrelenting pleas from the families directly affected, the Donegal County Council has placed commercial and business interests above the interests and rights of these families. Such a decision will not be taken lying down.

“Our clients have today signalled their intention to challenge every aspect of this planning decision in an effort to vindicate their rights, and the rights of their loved ones.”

He added: “It is unfathomable that the Grenfell Tower or the Stardust nightclub would be rebuilt. Creeslough is no different.

“This decision seeks to rub salt into the open wounds of these families who have now, for a second time in recent months, been compelled to fight for what ought to be very basic rights — but fight they will.

“Questions must be asked when a contentious decision such as this appears in the local media in Donegal before it is even as much as notified to these families.

“In many ways, this revelation underscores the families’ concerns as to the motivations of the instant decision.”