Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell has expressed his sympathies and offered prayers following the deaths of 10 people in Creeslough, County Donegal after a petrol station exploded.
“May the Lord take to himself those who have died, restore to wholeness those who are injured and bring comfort those bereaved in their loss,” Bishop Toal said.
Five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe was among those killed in the explosion along with her father Robert Garwe, which occurred on the 7th of October.
An investigation into the incident is currently under way, with police stating that it appears to have been an accident.
Bishop Alan McGuckian of Raphoe said Pope Francis was ‘saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction’ and expressed his spiritual closeness to those suffering in the aftermath.
“While entrusting the deceased to the merciful love of almighty god, His Holiness implores the divine blessings of consolation and healing upon the injured, the displaced and the families coping with pain of loss.
“As a pledge of strength and peace in the lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing to all the people of Ireland.”
“There is awful emotion but I think that’s the other side of the power of the community love that is here,” Bishop McGuckian told ITN.
Hundreds of people gathered at almost 20 vigils across County Donegal on Sunday.
In Milford mourners carried candles and prayed, ending with the Irish hymn A Mhuire Mhathair.