Nearby Creeslough opens following gas explosion

A Nearby store in Creeslough, Co. Donegal has been opened to help the community that was decimated by a suspected gas explosion last month (October 2022).

The Nearby store was severely damaged in a suspected gas explosion on 7 October at a neighbouring apartment block which killed ten people. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

The Creeslough store opened on Friday 11 November with staggered opening hours as a mark of respect to all the victims as Novena Masses continue.

In a statement, S&W Wholesale said: “Working closely alongside the local community, the Diocese, and the Lafferty family we are proud to have been able to get those much-needed services and essentials back into Creeslough. This significant joint investment opened a store on Friday 11th November next to St. Michael’s Church to ensure the people of Creeslough can shop close to home with local jobs being supported.”

Store owners, Annette & Danny-Martin Lafferty, said, “We have been overwhelmed by the help, support and guidance from friends, strangers, S&W Wholesale and our community of Creeslough to get the store opened. Your kind messages of support mean so much to us, the family circle and our great team of staff. We hope to see you in store very soon.”

Michael Skelton, managing director of S&W Wholesale, added: “The strength and teamwork of this close- knit community is touching to be a part of. Creeslough and beyond has supported the Lafferty family and us in getting their store opened to allow for those much needed services back into the community. It has been great to witness local contractors, our supply partners, the Diocese, staff of the store all working alongside our symbol [Nearby] teams across ROI and NI. This really is a community store built by the local community and we are proud to see our support come to fruition. From all of us at S&W, we can’t thank you enough for the support and guidance and we hope that this store is a symbol of our long-standing commitment to Creeslough and the surrounding areas.”