Cavan superintendent to oversee inquiry into Creeslough blast

PROBE Over 500 lines of enquiry open

The arrival of a new Superintendent to the Cavan district has been delayed. The senior officer in question, Supt Séan Grant, has been assigned to oversee the inquiry into the recent fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough in Co Donegal.

The blast on Friday, October 7, 2022, claimed the lives of 10 people and injured another eight.

Those killed were aged from five to 59 years, while several of those injured still remain in hospital.

An Applegreen service station and several apartments, a post office and main shop were decimated by the explosion.

The extensive investigation has, to date, seen in excess of 500 lines of enquiries actioned, and more than 260 witness statements taken, with interviews continuing on a daily basis.

House-to-house enquiries meanwhile are said to be “at an advanced stage”, and numerous items have been recovered from the scene, with some of these requiring further testing.

“This is ongoing and it is likely that further items will be recovered for examination over the coming days,” say gardaí.

Newly appointed Superintendent John (Séan) Grant, formerly an Inspector attached to Buncrana Garda Station, was due to take up his new position at the helm of Cavan Garda Station on October 20, 2022. That appointment, The Anglo-Celt understands, has how been deferred temporarily.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána informed that Supt Grant “remains” the appointed Superintendent for Cavan Garda District. In his “temporary absence” however, “the role is being covered on a day to day basis by an Inspector in the district acting up.”

Supt Grant was due to replace Former Cavan Garda Superintendent Padraic Jones who began his new job as Chief Superintendent assigned to lead the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána says that the force continues to investigate “all of the circumstances” into cause behind the fatal Creeslough explosion.

They also thanked the local community in Creeslough and the general public for their ongoing assistance in the investigation.

Last week the High Court extended the period of the preservation of the scene, under Section 5, Criminal Justice Act, 2006, to November 27.

This investigation is being co-ordinated from Milford Garda station where an Incident Room has been established.