The first funerals for victims of the Creeslough explosion have taken place in the village today.
24-year-old Jessica Gallagher was laid to rest this morning following an 11 am service.
The funeral of 49-year-old Martin McGill will take place later this afternoon.
Hundreds of mourners filled the pews and the church grounds at St Michaels Church in Creeslough, to say goodbye to 24-year-old Jessica Gallagher.
Mourners at the funeral 24 year old Jessica Gallagher heard of her infectious smile, her warmth, her creativity and determination. pic.twitter.com/UC76R3eHuw
— Mairéad Cleary (@maireadcleary7) October 11, 2022
Jessica had just qualified as a fashion designer and was due to start a new job in Belfast on Monday.
An unfinished shirt she was commissioned to make was one of the gifts presented at the altar.
The congregation heard she will be remembered as a determined and creative young woman, who lit up every room with her infectious smile.
Martin McGill was in the shop taking out cash from the ATM so he could get a Friday night takeaway.
The 49-year-old was remembered for his friendly manner and his compassion for other people.
Mourners heard he was rarely seen without his Celtic jersey and could be found in Lafferty’s Filling Station up to five times a day.
The funeral of father-of-one James O'Flaherty will be held tomorrow - as will those of 39-year-old Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan.
Catherine O'Donnell (39) and her son James Monaghan (13). Picture by: Facebook/An Garda Síochána14-year-old Leona Harper will be laid to rest on Thursday, as well as shop worker and mother-of-four Martina Martin who was aged 49.
Leona Harper. Picture by: Facebook/An Garda SíochánaPresident Michael D Higgins will attend most of the funerals of the victims.
He's addressing the Council of Europe in Strasbourg today and will be represented by his aide de camp at the funerals today.
Tomorrow he'll travel to Donegal where he will attend the remaining funerals and meet with family members.
A vigil's also being held outside the European Parliament in Brussels at around 3pm local time today.
Brussels Vigil for Creeslough 🕯️
Today 2:45pm (CET)
The vigil will take place at the Spinelli entrance to the @Europarl_EN.
Members & staff are invited to come along as we send our deepest condolences to the families affected, & the community of Creeslough. pic.twitter.com/1PnLFtoSu7— Maria Walsh MEP (@MariaWalshEU) October 11, 2022
A dedicated Creeslough Community Support Fund has been launched to help the people of the Donegal village.
It's being managed by the Irish Red Cross in collaboration with An Post and Applegreen.
All donations will go to support those who have been bereaved, injured, made homeless or left without an income by Friday's explosion.
