Scots man among ten victims of Donegal petrol station explosion described as 'special, lovable and friendly'

A Glasgow man has been named as one of the ten victims of the Irish petrol station explosion.

Martin McGill lost his life following the tragedy in the Donegal village of Creeslough on Friday.

The 49-year-old, originally from Kirkintilloch, had moved to Creeslough to care for his mother Mary.

It is understood Mr McGill had gone to the service station to withdraw cash when the incident occurred.

Ten people between the aged of five and 59 lost their life in the explosion which ripped apart a petrol station, the main village shop, the post office, a hairdressers and a deli as well as residential apartments.

One man in his 20s remains in a critical condition at St James’s Hospital in Dublin while seven other casualties were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where they are described as being in a stable condition.

Martin McGill, image issued by An Garda Siochana. An Garda Siochana

Mr McGill is survived by his mother Mary and sisters Maria Louise and Caroline and brothers in law, Mathew and Iain as well as his nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

His father Joseph died earlier this year.

Creeslough pharmacist Fergus Brennan paid tribute to Mr McGill saying: “He was such a special, lovable and friendly young man, very well-known and liked around Creeslough.”

Mr Brennan said one of his workers spotted McMcGill’s car in the forecourt of the service station when his mother came to the pharmacy to try and find her son.

His funeral is due to take place at St Michael’s Church in Creeslough at 2pm on Tuesday.

Celtic Football Club, of which Mr McGill was an avid fan, have paid tribute to the Scot along with the other nine victims of the tragedy.

In a statement the club said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club wishes to send our most sincere condolences to the families of the 10 people who tragically died in Creeslough, Donegal on Friday and we offer our full support to the entire community, which is suffering so much at this difficult time.

“Through the club’s charitable arm, Celtic FC Foundation, £10,000 will be donated to the Creeslough Community Support Fund in the aftermath of this heart-breaking event.

“The Support Fund has been set up by the Irish Red Cross in collaboration with An Post and Applegreen to provide rapid and long-term assistance to the Creeslough community.”

It continues: “Donegal has a long and emotional connection with Celtic Football Club. The area is home to a large contingent of Celtic supporters, one of whom being Martin McGill, who tragically lost his life in the incident.

“We send our heartfelt sympathies to the families of all of the victims and the people of Creeslough.

“Our thoughts, prayers and support are with you all at this difficult time.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Ireland’s police force, An Garda Siochana, continues to investigate the cause of the blast in a building complex that included the service station and convenience store and residential apartments.

It is being treated as a “tragic accident” but early investigations suggest it was a gas leak.

Those who died were 50-year-old Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, 48-year-old James O’Flaherty, 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher, 39-year-old Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, 59-year-old Hugh Kelly, 49-year-old Martina Martin, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.

Over the weekend, hundreds gathered at memorial vigils in honour of the victims across Donegal.