Shock in Rosemount at local connection to Donegal tragedy

Last Friday's horrific loss of life in Creeslough was felt particularly acutely in the South Westmeath community of Rosemount, where there was a local family connection to one of the victims of the tragedy.

Jessica Gallagher was among those killed in the Applegreen service station explosion which numbed the nation. Her funeral took place on Tuesday.

Lisa Gallagher, a sister of the late Jessica, is married to Rosemount man Enda Boland.

The couple are both involved in the GAA locally. Enda has been playing for Rosemount for many years and captained the team which won the Westmeath intermediate championship in 2016. Lisa has played for the Cill Óige ladies club since its foundation two years ago, and recently lined out in the Westmeath LGFA junior final.

The assistant chairperson of Cill Óige, Joe Farrell, said the club's catchment area of Rosemount and Castledaly had been deeply saddened by the news on Friday.

"Everyone involved with the Cill Óige club is devastated by it. It has really touched us all, because when you have that connection it really brings it home. It's just hard to believe," Joe said on Monday evening.

"Our club is only going for the last two years. Lisa has been with us from the start and she's a lovely person," he said, adding that he wanted to extend condolences to the Gallagher and Boland families on behalf of all at Cill Óige.

On Monday, Rosemount GAA also posted a message on social media about the local link to the tragedy, saying: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa Gallagher, Enda Boland, their families, and the entire Creeslough community during this time.

"The untimely passing of Jessica and the other nine people who tragically lost their lives in this horrific accident have shocked all our communities. May those affected find comfort and strength at this time."

The late Jessica Gallagher was a fashion and marketing graduate from the International Fashion Academy in Paris. She had been due to begin a job as a fashion designer in Belfast this week.

It's been reported she died in an apartment owned by her boyfriend, Conor McFadden, above the Applegreen shop.

At the time of writing, Mr McFadden was said to be in a critical condition in hospital.

Books of condolence for the victims of the tragedy opened earlier this week at the Westmeath County Council offices in Athlone and Mullingar, and they are due to remain open, from 9am to 5pm, until tomorrow (Friday).

The council’s Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, said he had been in touch with his counterpart in Donegal County Council, Cllr Liam Blaney, to convey his sympathies on behalf of the people of Westmeath.

“Cllr Blaney would like me to pass on his appreciation to the people of Westmeath for the warm message received and for the many prayers being said in support of the people of Creeslough and Donegal,” said Cllr O’Rourke.

A vigil is also due to take place at Burgess Park in Athlone tomorrow (Friday) evening, at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend the vigil in memory of those who lost their lives, the survivors and the people of Creeslough.