 Good afternoon. It's Greg Hughes with you on this Saturday afternoon, and I think we could all agree that Mines is the last voice you'd want to hear today. We'd love to be with our usual programming, but Unfortunately, that's not the case. It can't be the case Because a massive explosion ripped through the Apple Green service station, which was heard from miles away The building was destroyed trapping many inside Investigations will take place to discover the exact cause of the explosion The service station is the heart of Kriysla and many of you not from the area would have called in for coffee or something passing through Yesterday afternoon. It was its usual hive of activity children there for their Friday treat Older people collecting their pensions locals and visitors like calling in for a few essentials and in a moment everything changed So far nine people have been confirmed to have died a further eight in hospital some with severe injuries We stand with them their families and their friends today We as a community will come together and stick together to do whatever we can It's an unimaginable tragedy and one which will change things forever We spent much of last night at the scene and returned there this morning standing among people every one of them waiting on news of a loved one or a neighbor or a friend and There was a sense of helplessness as we watched on as our amazing emergency services did everything they could to rescue those who were trapped The sound of machinery Interrupted only by what was clearly people hearing the news. They were dreading. It was so so sad Locals themselves awaiting news were first on the scene and continued supporting emergency services However, they could the local coffee shop the local childcare facilities and others stepping up for the community Some very very tough days lie ahead and for many that will extend to weeks months and years or a lifetime It's all just beyond words For the next while we're going to be talking to a number of guests as this tragedy continues to unfold We'll try to make some sort of sense of it Look if I'm not saying we're necessarily going to be reading anything out But I know there's an awful lot of people there out there Many of you have contacted me who want to do something who want to help who want to express how they feel If you want to just to get it out of your system You can text the usual numbers and as I say if there's an opportunity or if it's appropriate to share those messages with the wider public We will but perhaps Maybe it would just do you some good this saturday afternoon We're joined on the program first by apple green fander and the company's chief executive Joe Barrett Joe Thank you for taking the call this afternoon What is the good afternoon Greg? Yeah, what's the position from your company's perspective? Well, we're we're we're all Saddened and at this tragic event our heart goes out to everyone involved in the in the community It is just a tragic accident. We don't have any full details yet apart from there was an explosion It seems like in the in the apartment Overhead of the shop and this is called devastation. So We're just our thoughts and our prayers are with the family with the community We're there to support wherever we can. We've had people on sites and Late yesterday afternoon as soon as we have been found out. They've stayed overnight We've teams more teams going up over the weekend to support where we can and all I can say is that we will be there to support and everyone in Cree's law as As and where we where we can Greg. It's just terribly sad event And I would like to say a special thanks to the emergency services to the first responders for the For the work they're doing in in such terrible circumstances and we appreciate everything they're doing Okay, and we appreciate your time and your words this afternoon Sean Murphy is the general manager of Letter Kenny University Hospital Sean joins us now and Sean, of course You know, the one thing we're very conscious of and Is that a lot of the people that you have working in the hospital a lot of the people that were sent from the hospital to the scene Are connected either directly or by one or two degrees of separation. This is a community hospital in this instance dealing with this awful situation within that community You're absolutely right Greg You're absolutely right Greg, and I think your introduction probably captured the mood Not just of the county and the local community, but the hospital today And Absolutely, I mean we have staff that were directly impacted and staff who wider family members Who were still here to do their the job and their duty and and support people First and foremost My comment will be to just express my absolute sympathy To the family's effective. I spent some time with some of them yesterday and That none of us would wish that and anyone I wish to be in that position is just a variable what they're having to go through at the moment And my second comment would be to Tank our own staff for the professionalism and the compassion and with which they responded and We since we went to major instance standby and we started calling in staff We were Wanting to come and help and again with all of these, you know These things have they know because we don't know how long this will go on and so we need to have waves of staff to be able to pick up the The workload and the care as the instant unfolds It's extremely sad. Uh, that's um, you know Obviously we would rather have more patients and less disease And I think that's one of the big tragedies of this instance instrument that Be with the county for an awful long time the As they look for us stuff and just As ever in these circumstances, uh, just like to pay tribute To their professionalism and their compassion throughout the process and I'd also like to acknowledge the other agencies and I suppose In these sort of instances and you and I have talked about this before it's where we see the best of our health care system All the elements of the service came together the national ambulance service the private ambulance services community Services older people services primary care We had additional gps put on the out of our service We had patients taken and transferred to community hospitals to create big capacity in in luh There were additional nurses put on in Community services as and doing additional nurses and additional gps today The community assessment hub has been open today to again support and be able to provide another point other than the hospital and the community intervention team was mobilized to Also be able to provide care in community hospitals and patients homes And unfortunately, we're also now studying the fees of putting support structures in place for the families and for those that were directly involved in the rescue template and Provide in patient care and the trauma of all that in terms of psychology and psychological support Because that's the The fees fees we're now in And of course too we had this awful situation. We didn't wish on where Families were waiting for information on on on loved ones. It was and it's still to this point It's still an an emerging For some people Yeah, yeah Absolutely and I think that's that's that's the um, you know So hard it's it's really hard is you can't put comes anything seems so banal and great to be honest with you That long we hope and against hope and as time goes on, you know looking at inevitability um, it is uh, it's cruel And I think you know again just to pay tribute to The stuff and the the people on on on the scene Including as you've already said some of our own stuff went out to be a forward team to provide them and most care and you know Really so different for the people in the community to volunteer as the fire service and the service And our household stuff, you know being there Hoping against hope to try to be able to save one more person Yeah, and all the training in the world and they are Experts in their field and trained As good as anyone could be trained, but there's certain things that To some extent I suppose no level of of training can prepare you for you know for what you see for what you have to do Yeah, no, I mean I I would say the um In terms of our own major instant plan It it it worked it it worked to plan We we were mobilized very quickly. We were making space very quickly I'd like to acknowledge and thank those patients over in the hospital Including and especially those around the emergency department When one of the emergency medicine consultants myself and I've been announced that there had been a major instant and this uh, we were asking people this could go home to go home or go to their GP and apologize and this uh, those that weren't terribly It would would have Venti weights and again people were so hugely understand in and just again to acknowledge You know the the patients and the cooperation we got from the public and the patients Truda shown obviously Yes, I was going to say What is the the situation now in terms of The amount of people that you can tell us that are being treated at the hospital now If anyone has had to have been transferred All right, okay. So we we transferred one patient to specialist Facility in in in Dublin last night. There's an air transport Transfer, we've got seven people in the hospital at the moment ongoing treatment and again, uh, you know Those those patients are comfortable and we'll continue to look after them. All right and in terms of we use the general public And the operation of the hospital. I know the the emergency response has been stood down if I'm not mistaken But have you a message for for the public or those who may feel they need to attend or what's the situation there? Okay, so Yes, we stood we stood down the emergency response last last night And I suppose Even I'm trying to say we stood stood down We stood down with enhanced backup teams in the event that Because the situation was emerging as you know to well yourself throughout the night So, uh, obviously, uh, the Any patient who needs an urgent and emergency care dismisses all the hospital is open and and and and attends the hospital However, if if it's Not an emergency situation We're again as in the usual message and I suppose all this Given that, you know, please contact the gp out of our service Today this weekend we've actually as I said we True last night and through the weekend. We've put extra support in there to make it easier to be quicker to be seen and make easier to get an appointment and we've may well My colleagues in the community services Have made a community assessment hub also available for diagnostics to avoid having to send people into the hospital for appropriate so And again, you know, I've mentioned the community intervention team So we've put extra supports in to just try to keep the hospital as clear as possible and give a chance to recover basically And pick up any cases that may have been delayed from yesterday. Well, thanks to all of your your staff for what they've been doing over the last Approaching 24 hours and the advanced teams as well who who were out on scene as well Boyle accounts that they they did absolutely everything they could To preserve and and to save life and we we appreciate it No, thanks very much. Okay, Sean Murphy the general manager of letter. Kenny University Hospital there our next guests are Bishop Alan McGockey and the Bishop of Ruffo and also the right Reverend Andrew Forster, I'll say good afternoon First to you Bishop McGockey and thank you so much for joining us on on this at this Absolutely dreadful time Bishop. Thank you Greg and good afternoon to you It is it is an incredibly awful moment here and this beautiful wee town of Cree slough where there is such such a lovely community of people who care for one another and who have been just Devastated by what has happened and then who are rallying around one another in a way that is is um So moving and edifying and yet Everybody's numb. You know people want to speak to one another I'm thinking of of amelies who are still waiting for awful news or The first responders who you know who at any given moment are standing back from from the scene because that they're not Active right at that moment. They they want to speak to one another and yet everybody admits there's nothing There's no words and yet and there's a kind of a numbness A numbness that everybody's feeling here and yet A sense of being together in the face of of of of Just something that's too much to take in. That's just it is too much to take in that this has happened here you were there last night as well and it's this Awful awful situation. I'm not saying it's not one you've you've been through before over your time, but where you're there to support people but the The bad news is emerging people are getting word Of the worst news that usually just don't want to hear And you'll there as this we are there as as this is happening almost sort of standing in there They're they're shocked. They're grief. I don't know how to to phrase it correctly and I I think you're you're pointing to Just the helplessness, you know in the face of In the face of the leg of this We experience ourselves as helpless, you know, there's There's nothing I can do or that we can do to to To make it all right, you know, so someone waiting for this unspeakable news that they never ever wanted to hear and it's it's it's imminent and uh Yeah, we we feel helpless and and and yet somewhere or or or being with each other Has meaning and I I believe there's a deeper meaning that that that we're invited to to plug into And and to be with one another in that in that bigger perspective of God but That's fine to her it's it's hard to find words that that make that That make that easily understood. Yeah Um, there's there's some interference. I don't know. It's in my headphones and desk I don't know if it's coming out throughout through the on air, but we'll continue. It isn't okay The right reverend andrew forster standing beside Bishop allen mogokian. He's the church of allen bishop of durian refo um Bishop it's again, you know, what can we do? What can you and Bishop mogokian do but be there for people and to stand with them and if they want to speak they speak if they don't I don't know. We just huddled together Greg it's sort of stunning being in this village now, you know to stand outside the the apartments the apple green and Just see a see a scene of utter devastation and to stand alongside people who are waiting for terrible news or and just to be there it just um It's sort of beggars belief right now and it just feels utterly and completely devastating and You know, just walking up the street here in creasel and saying these first responders, you know exhausted members of the fire service Ambulance guards contractors who have come to work and help and I just You know lost for words whenever you see What they've done, you know and and in some way there's something within the human spirit that at the absolute worst of times And this is the worst of times for this village for the for our county Sometimes in the very worst of times you see the absolute best of people and the best in people And I think that's what I witnessed walking up through creaselock today and stopping and standing alongside people and it just is It's sort of beggars belief right now. I'm not I don't believe I am compromising anyone's privacy But I was speaking to a local person Not prepared for this not trained for this and we'll have a word on the emergency services in a moment But he had been called in Or they had been called in to join the operation when a more delicate approach was to be required And they were going to do it But they didn't want to do it because they knew people that were caught up in this But that's What the community isn't isn't it you step up. They stepped up. They were prepared to step up and do Something they couldn't imagine doing but they're doing it for their fellow people And and Greg I actually think you call that love. I think that's what it is It's just shown a love that Is wanting to be there for other people wanting to stand alongside them Even though in your heart of hearts you wish you were somewhere else and you wish you weren't in the middle of all this I I think what what you've just described and what I have seen here this morning And what we've heard of over these last This last devastating day is actually love and and care at its depth and you know I'm pretty new to this county. But what I know about dunny gall people is they have a big heart and They'll take this village to their heart and these people to their heart after after You know the the action of these initial days will hold these people in our hearts Bishop mogokian We will struggle. I think we all are struggling people who are directly affected indirectly in the county across the country to try and make sense of it It's it I don't think that's a possible task at this point. Is it No, there's that there's there's nothing can can make sense of it. No And and yet just that the desire of people, you know, like I I think everybody that everybody here in dunny gall Will be receiving messages from people around the county outside the county all over ireland uh caring deeply caring about this and about those that are suffering and about the community and creeslach and and That's as near as We can get at this moment to sense That we see it in the others that care really what what Bishop andrew was saying there about the community the first responders I I was speaking there to uh Local services people from all around dunny gall who've been here all night who haven't slept Uh clergy the same who've been here and then that the care that is Pouring in from around ireland like uh all of ireland is is shaken by this and uh That in some way like for those who are at the heart of it who have a sense of Other devastation. There is nothing can make sense at this moment. Nothing uh But in The love that is there the care that is there the faith and the prayers that are being said uh There's the beginnings of of Of a coping uh Maybe that in time Could come to be described as making sense and bishop um bishop andrew and and I won't today Either of you very much longer. I really do appreciate your time The coming week Weeks we're looking at nine funerals, you know burying nine of our community of All ages some very young Others not so young but all incredibly incredibly important was that will leave holes that can can never be filled um, we really need to uh, we are Together and for each other particularly over the course of these next next few days and beyond Yeah, and you know, I heard father john joe this morning on highland radio The paris priest here saying asking the county and the country to pray and that's what we need because you know, but sometimes whenever We we find ourselves in a situation that is beyond our Comprehension that just seems a a tragedy almost beyond devastating it's just beyond words All we have to do is all we can do is reach out to something greater than ourselves to reach out in prayer For the people of this community and and I just want to urge everybody to do that whether you're praying person or not just say a prayer for these people and and Pray that these next few days as we're looking to funerals and heartache and pain that will know what it is to be together And will no help and strength through it all you mentioned father john joe duffy His words resonating meaning so much and his the mass as well which Must have been very difficult for he This morning having been perfectly up all night as you can imagine Um an amazing, um man. Um, yeah bishop hander. I'll ask you you talked of praying. Can I ask you? To choose a prayer for The community for us for people of faith not faith. It doesn't matter just some words for people. Please bishop. Thanks. Thanks, greg Have any father we are lost for words Our hearts are broken Our minds are in turmoil And we are devastated for those who have received such terrible news last night and today And we pray that you had surround each and everyone with love Help us To hold these people in our hearts bless the first responders Help those in letter kenny hospital and in the hospital in dublin And watch over all who are working here to help this community And may each and everyone find strength from you find strength from each other and your help In difficult days and we pray this in the name of the one who suffered And died for us jesus christ our lord Amen, amen Bishop Alan bishop Andrew. Thank you very much. I'm sure you need each other to lean on a little bit as well today So, uh, we appreciate your we appreciate your time. Thank you so much, greg. Thank you. God bless you. Good afternoon to you Okay, so this is a it's a personal tragedy. It's a tragedy for a local community. It's a tragedy for a county It's a national um Tragedy tannister leo varadkar Joins us on the program Leo as I said, you know, this is and it's it's quite clear from the outpouring of of emotion and support And words even as we struggle for words that I think this is a tragedy that's touched every Every heart across this island and beyond Yeah, that's that's correct. And um, good afternoon and thanks. Thanks very much for for for the call and for giving me the opportunity to express my My condolences to everyone criss-la in dunigal When it comes to a tragedy like this You try to think about what the right words are to say and of course, there are no words On our arm, I guess big big dealing. I guess, um It's just um, just too hard to fathom. It's just shows the randomness of life and You know to think Think people are going about their daily business one afternoon and something like this happens It's just impossible to explain And impossible to understand I know the community will rally together. I want to thank the emergency services for their rapid response emergency services from all over the country from northern ireland as well and obviously hospitals such as letter kenny, but also james as other parts of the country that have Um done what they've done best which is to provide the care that they need but um, I think this is only the beginning really obviously the rescue Effort is the most important thing now but I know um, I know The effects of this will be felt for years. Um, even thinking ahead to christmas. It's going to be Empty empty bases at dinner tables and Very important that we Think ahead to the kind of psychological supports that need to be put in. I know the doctor call service now doc is open and heard One of the local gps after steward on on earlier really appreciates the effort of the medical community in the county as well but um, like I say No words can describe What's hit everyone like a bolt from the blue on the friday afternoon and it is a matter of course That any supports that you know are normally required in a situation like this from whichever department Your ministers will ensure that All of that's expedited and isn't in place. But as I say, it's not a question. I know that It's honest to a matter of course Yeah, and you can be absolutely absolutely sure of that. We have um, major instant major emergency plan which kicked into effect On occasions like this. Um, and obviously every government department and every government agency Clicks into gear. Um, but you know, you read these things on paper every now and then you even do Um, uh an exercise or a dry run be still though. So don't really think they're going to happen But sadly they do and sadly they have on this occasion and I understand we've um nine confirmed fatalities now um, and um And obviously quite a number of injuries. Some of them very severe and um, I can't remember the last time we had Uh, this many people Killed in any one instant in in Ireland You know, it's the kind of thing you you sort of see on the news happening far away or Or even in a horror movie, but um, this is very real and this is you know our country it's A place I've passed through many times. Um, you know on my way to the fanny And uh, you know, you just just don't think this can happen in a In a service station in a in a small town in Ireland But what it has and it still seems a bit surreal to be to be frank. It does indeed tarnish to the override car Thanks for your time this subtlety afternoon. I appreciate it No, no, thanks for having me take care. Um The president Michael D. Higgins has issued a statement following the tragedy in greece law and greece law He says may I as president expect express What I know will be the shock shared by all people throughout the country on learning of the terrible tragedy which has unfolded in creasler All our thoughts must go out to all those who have been affected those who have received news of the loss of a loved one Those injured and most of all those who are waiting with anxiety for news of their loved ones This tragedy is a terrible blow to a community that is closely knit And where every loss and injury will be felt by every member of the community and far beyond Special tribute must be paid to those members of the local community and emergency services across the island Who've reacted so swiftly to the scene of the explosion and have continued to work through the night All of our best thoughts and prayers go to those who have lost their lives and their families And that's a statement there from The president of Ireland Michael D. Higgins. There is a god of press briefing taking place at two thirty This afternoon. I imagine You know, it'll be a confirmation of a lot of the information we already know I'm not sure what further details may emerge. What we do know is that Nine people nine of our county people nine of our country people have lost their lives in this tragedy so far seven people Seven people remain being treated in letterkenny university hospital One patient has been transferred from letterkenny to Dublin for specialist treatment And even as we speak right now People reaching out to me. I suppose who else might they speak to I don't know because we're talking about it I was at the scene yesterday and this morning Wondering what can we do people want to know? Well, what can you do in this situation? There's some suggestions of candlelight vigils being organized If any of you feel that that would be a way for your community your local community to come out in support of the creaslock community Which is our community, but you understand what I mean geographically, you know, feel free to organize that let us know We'll let other people know. I know lots of people Contacting me as well. And I'm sure others by the way Offering support. What can we do? People involved in construction people not involved in construction Just feeling that they need to do something for the people Of creaslock and the surrounding areas and it is the surrounding areas. It's a tight-knit community, but it's wide also The t-shock. Miho Martin Joins us on the program now. Miho, I appreciate you making time for us this afternoon And I would just I would just give anything not to be speaking to you on this subject, but sadly here we are and as I said to your Your your government colleague Lee of Radcon not long ago. This is a national tragedy. There's just no other way to look at it It absolutely is and you know, this is the last thing We thought we would be discussing this morning and Our hearts and our thoughts our prayers go with the families of those who've lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy And our hearts go to the entire community It's a close-knit community and therefore people will know those who've been affected and impacted by the terrible accident and At times like this, we just have to come together and be there Just simply be there in thought and in action to support those Who've lost loved ones in particular I also want to pay very strong tribute to the essential Workers the fire brigades the local authorities the health services across the board all came quickly To the assistance of those caught up on this explosion and To everybody in the northwest and essential services and to Northern Ireland Showing great solidarity cross-border community We thank them and who put themselves in harm's way to rescue to protect Right throughout the night and it's it's very traumatic for them also because many of them would have known People they were never going to rescue I'd imagine as well because of the close-knit nature of the community and What I can you know, we words on their own are very do not console times like this terrible terrible loss For many families we we all have to be there state services will be there through education through health To the various services to support the community to support the families through childcare as I say and through education services and that for counseling and for endeavoring to Enable people to try and cope with this as best they can and that will be very difficult indeed T-Shark me whole Martin. Thank you for joining us this afternoon Thank you indeed Okay, we appreciate both Me whole Martin and Leo for our car. We appreciate the words Liam Macklehenny is chairperson of Neve Michael GA club in Chris Liam. Thanks for speaking to me this afternoon Thanks for having me As you know, it's a very sad day down here. There's a very somber the mood is very somber To come down to the town to see the local shop and but The devastation on people's faces Yesterday was something I would never want to see again But as a community We'll have stuck together and we're doing that at the minute Was all the local people that helped at the start and then all the emergency services came on board both They from the north as well. So I want to thank them for that but Greg is a devastating day here in Creasley and Liam, you know, this shop is the heart of creasley, you know You were either just in there or you'd be going in there It's that type of a community hub, isn't it Liam? I'm sure it was not long before this instance that you were in there yourself So, you know for anyone in the area, they will be saying to themselves. Well, it could have been me Uh, yes, Greg, you're exactly right. I was in the shop at half two yesterday I left the shop at half two and the explosion took place at 315 and all the talk was around the area that Of people that were nearly in the shop people that had left the shop And people that could have been in the shop because as you know, it was after three It was friday the last day of school and parents have The habit of taking them in the shop for the treats on a friday because it's the last day of the week and uh people Pensionals yesterday as well. Now that's paid out about the area of what people might be there, but Friday, Greg particularly is a busy day in the shop And all the tragedies are high, but it could have been a lot worse And the the the thing with something like this because this is our tragedy You know people particularly in the area, but even much wider afield know someone Connected to someone somewhere related or a relation of relation of someone Who has very very sadly lost their lives today? That's how tightly woven we actually are far beyond chrysler right across the county Yeah, well the phone calls I got yesterday, Greg from people that's From far away and and different counties to say check in with Myself and the family okay, and I'm sure that was the case for everybody in the area Because a tragedy like this doesn't happen often And people know it's in small communities that everybody knows one another They're all connected As you know, we have we have the GA clubs and Michaels here And most of them people would be members or they would have family members in the club They would have to out in the club that would sell out us so look we have to be behind them now because They would have helped us so look From the GA point of view. We'll have our doors open from tomorrow on for people to come in and We'll get we'll seek help from the county board as well to put a plan in action because Normally when there's tragedies and there's youth involved, it's not easy for the youth of the parties either So look we're going to do everything And we're power To see that they're helped and and hopefully we'll get out of this nightmare because it'll not Go away in a week. It'll not go away in a fortnight. It'll take years Okay, um Liam listen. Thank you. We're also joined by Kieran Gallagher who is a local residence Kieran you live Really close to this awful scene. Don't you just 150 yards away? Yes, I do. Yeah. Yeah. Can you tell us at around about 315? What you heard what what you witnessed? Well, I was in the house and I I was Preparing to go to Mayo to visit my brother Um, I was getting the feet of Donald bus the Galway bus to Mayo for 20 to 4 I had the back door open and I says that door bang and it was a blast So it was like a bomb, you know I lived along the border when I was younger. So I went up with my case. I knew it was the shop I seen a blue light when I got to e-bridge And uh, I live along the road ahead to do castle, you know, yeah Umrafad don't tell you I had a direct traffic for an hour and a half And I said to the Phillip from the Dunningall Motor Club I must go up here and check to see what's going on So I came back down to him then and um Yeah, I went up to help All the local people in the community Creasley Is in Chief Haven Bay here We have people from Dunfany and Terriman from all around everybody from all around the parish Parishes helped workmen tradesmen everywhere It's devastating scene to see, you know And it was astonishing the work that you and others Kieran were doing that so quickly You were in place to give the emergency services the space that they needed In the immediate aftermath of this explosion to save as many people as we could, you know I don't think you can be understated how important that role you and others were playing Kieran Well, we made a chain, there was a couple of chains of men, you know And um we were clearing the rubble, you know We were lifting concrete blocks lead from the roof timber with nails in it We were shopping baskets Greeting cards, sympathy cards, whatever kind of cards there were I didn't really see, you know We were too busy Um, I got the safety officer to get the ASB to cut the Those blocks hanging from the wall strap from the from the building and the Fire service walking in and out there beside where the post office is, you know So eventually got them up and they got the kind of cherry picker on their machine and directed them in beside the ambulance And um, I was talking to a friend of mine and he said there was one casualty over by the Creamery And there was two by a while later I knew there was two I was talking to a young fella He's from Kerrygarde. His father works in the shop And his father's okay And the young fella he was working in the shop and he just walked out to the store And uh What was meant to be like he he survived he was granted, you know, he was helping helping everybody else, you know It is what you're saying Kieran is is so true speaking to people Working in the shop That for some random reason they moved position in the shop So even within that space just a something happened and and they were able to walk out the back He was working in the store. He just left the the the the main he left the shop to go to the store area of the shop and The explosion happened above in an apartment We we reckon it was gas So the building would have exploded into the air and landed down And the whole four court the whole front of the building was exploded. It was just a clearing, you know I climbed up a ladder to give two firefighters to two firemen. I wanted a six inch block I got the first block. I could I went up to Give it to them and they got one acral up So we we propped the whole thing along that edge because there's bison slabs And it was a dangerous danger, you know And They had checked the they had we're checking for casualties, you know So we came down in when we were helping move everything. I would like to thank My local community All the tradesmen and anybody and anybody that helped I'd like to thank The SB Um The ambulance services doctors and nurses everybody that came when I was directing traffic I had to let them through I'd like to thank the Gardie And the fire service from Northern Ireland for coming We increasingly are a strong community It will take time as leem said leem mcglennie said, you know Where we Will cut the corn increasingly today in the future It's a dark cloud increasingly today. I'm looking at the main street here now We are a strong community and we'll work together As leem said the say michaels j club on my member And local tradesmen Uh, there's restaurants and bars and plenty of places to have food here We welcome everybody to come to creasel it and at this stage I went into the chapel Said a quick prayer as we went in the door of the bell rang you know So we need people just to Give us space give us time and give us help And to pray for us and um We are strong And we'll carry on we'll rebuild the shop We rebuild the community We'll help those who are mourning I know my neighbor worked in the On the till I won't name her name She passed away my friends sister and son passed away And I know the father of the young fella There was a five-year-old girl Anya, I think was her name And her father were in the forecourt they passed away Uh, one of the eighth persons that died is from no point He passed away. I know everybody that passed away So we have to be strong for the people that are mourning today, you know It's a shock to the community and it's going to be um, it's very tragic, you know Well kiran Um, I hope you get some rest yourself soon You've been through an awful situation yourself But I think you can put that in context too of of the loss and what have you but Well done kiran for everything you and the rest of the people that stepped up What yous have done as well. Um, I know the community would want to thank you I know the first responders would want to thank you and the others who helped at that time You were an important part of this as well So they're not here to thank you But I'm sure I'm not being presumptuous in in thanking you and the others on their behalf kiran We as a community increasingly appreciate All the services all the people all the locals and everybody and anybody that came here religious We um, we have politicians here Hopefully Maybe the t-shirt or somebody might come and visit crease for someday Okay, all right kiran gala. Thank you. Um, lean macklehenny also chair of the neve michael G a club both of you. Thank you very much indeed Uh, a gp. The gp in creasler is dr. Paul Stuart he joins us now poll before we talk about what supports might be there for people Um, I presume you got the news very very quickly as as this This tragedy happened and as as the the extent it began to unfold, you know I mean, obviously you're a gp But you're off the community and a and a human too Yes, Greg. Um, I firstly I just want to send my condolences To all the family and friends who have lost loved ones and um, who um have have Um, patients in the hospital Uh, and so on. So this is this is um, this is an absolute tragedy for our small community and um We'll be we'll be years getting over this, you know, um, and uh So yes, I I arrived around about, um, quarter past four. Um, and by the devastation Um, I grew up in Belfast during the troubles and to be honest, it was just like One of those awful bombs in those days Uh, there was, you know, the whole front of the Shop was blown out and the the floors above And uh, there was just debris everywhere And at that stage The emergency services had arrived They were there actually within, you know, within 10 15 minutes of this happening And joined the local community who were literally, you know, just pulling the rubble out And trying to trying to to to rescue people indeed You know, several people were thankfully Able to to to be rescued Um, and then we had the terrible night of You know, knowing that there were people missing and hadn't come home and You know praying and hoping that they They would but you know deep down Knowing that that they were probably in the in the in the wreckage, you know So it's it's it's been it's been a terrible time Um any of us could have been stopped there for petrol or You know for a packet of crisps or whatever and you know, so it's as random as that Like, you know, when you think about life, you get up in the morning You never know, you know, and I mean these things are just Inexplicable, you know in some ways Um, and you know, so it's very hard to come to terms with it It is and I was speaking to different I was speaking to different people yesterday and and there's certain things we do in life Or certain jobs where there is an inherent risk that maybe some part of us might be prepared for something Even maybe even driving. I don't know But as you say going in for a sandwich a packet of crisps to collect your pension To buy suites for a child Those are things we believe to be risk-free and and it proved otherwise for these for this awful For for everyone who's left the lives their families their neighbors their friends the entire community. It's just absolutely devastating Yes, well the year is getting over this if we ever get over this Greg So look we we we we're open here now in the in the surgery in Chrysler And I just want to get that message out if I may If they ring the surgery number or indeed if they ring now doc, they're diverting calls to us Um, and we set ourselves up here. We have professional counseling um The the hsc psychology services here and So, you know We're dying. You know and everybody and anybody who needs to talk or has You know some injuries or anything that needs to be looked at. We're We're more than been happy to help and um We're on social media as well. It was just trying to get the message out But it's great that um, I'm able to talk to you and And let people know that we're we're we're The services are open and they're there and and experts are there and um, you know Maybe some people might not feel the need to drop in. Maybe it's no harm just to just to to to see um Dr. Paul's You know, yeah, just to say, you know, if people don't feel, you know, because they're in shock today If they don't feel, you know, like talking today, of course, we'll be here for the rest of the week and for you know for The rest for months to come. So at any stage people seem that we can help, you know in the future Please come to us and dr. Stewart. Look after yourself as well. Thank you for for joining us this afternoon. I really appreciate it Not at all great. Thank you. Dr. Paul Stewart's unlike everyone we would love to be Not speaking about something like this But we have to and as I say if there's something you want to say We're not necessarily, you know Putting stuff out there to to to read out as such But if there's something that you feel you want to say or to get off your chest if you're on your own You know, this is a lot of news to take on the extent of this travel tragedy. It's tough I know many of you out there didn't sleep last night Um that you either you knew who was involved or you imagined yourself in that situation or you imagine getting that news from your child That's normal. That's that's what's going to happen. Many of you You know waking up from a bad sleep or having not slept or if you're on your own you feel you want to vent Or speak to someone you can text send us a message if you wish or phone a friend Um or or whatever it might be speak to someone because you would be amazed how You picking up the phone someone they might want to speak to you to Jared Duffy is the editor of the kreisler view magazine Jared thanks for for waiting so patiently for us in kreisler and You know, you're the editor of the kreisler view magazine. I know your outlook is about, you know positivity probably, you know Archiving and celebrating everything that's positive about kreisler and then here we are this awful tragedy visited on this most Beautiful part of the the county that I've spent an awful lot of time in and myself. I've strong personal memories with my late sister And our families in in in kreisler But Jared from your perspective, what what can you say? Oh listen, it's devastated Uh, I got the news got a phone call at work and we'd be way Uh, to be honest, there wasn't a lot that I could do but just standing around was was other people and just everybody shocked numb Just dreadful dreadful news Uh, as I say we gather stuff for the magazine for years gone by and for For people to look into in the future and this is definitely one thing we didn't Expect or want to be gathering terrible terrible news And again Jared we've mentioned it before but it's so important how The people we've spoken to today the people I was chatting to last night in this morning That in the face of this tragedy and it's personal to all of them how people Came together and got out and and started doing things everyone seemed to know Which roads to block off who to bring water to who was to help the emergency services The coffee shop there just in instant supporting emergency services mode It's just something else, isn't it in in this awful situation. Yeah All we're listening. That's a great community here and everybody rallied round and done the best they can Uh, it's going to be a hard week ahead but That's just there's there's no words. It's just unbelievable Uh, everybody's numb really, you know, like I would know Everybody that's been named so far that you know, I'd know them Uh, that's just Jared my sympathies to you and the whole Chrysler in the wider area community. It's all of us really we're all feeling it We're all with you I hope you can feel that that the county is standing with you the country is standing with you at this most difficult time Yeah, thank you great. Okay Jared. Thanks very much. That's Jared Duffy there the editor of the Chrysler view magazine Just want to let you know that the hsc Psychologist and counselors will be on site at the Chrysler day center from noon today to meet members of the community who are seeking support we're going to Keep you updated as best as we can and in in as sympathetic way as we can In this day and age yesterday I found myself in the position where as as best as I tried to We have to get information out there, but conscious that people didn't know what was going on or people knew people that may be there People from outside arland messaging me in desperation saying Greg. I know you're there Such and such a person we we can't contact them. Have you heard anything? That's what it was like. That's how at local this is but how The effects of it rippled from Chrysler to karagart to Downings did on a gold town down the country and I've crossed our borders And I've crossed the world as you know, it's been covered quite extensively from outside of arland, but look um, I hope this last hour has been helpful in terms of getting a sense of of How the community are feeling how the response went and all that type of thing will continue our coverage, of course on on monday morning Stay with us here in highland radio. Um, obviously, you know We have the usual programs for you coming up and I know some of you might Wonder about that but um, there is a schedule there and you know, it's done with sensitivity and understanding And for some people it might be, you know What they need as well to to to lift their spirits or take their minds off it if they can if they're not directly affected But anyway, listen look after yourselves. Look after each other We'll be back with you on monday We'll keep you up to dates with the official official information as we get it across our social media We're going to finish with a piece of music and uh, stay tuned after that We'll have a news headlines update with mackayla And marty freel Will be with you for the afternoon Up until three I believe and then kevin fury takes over but look um look after yourselves and i'll chat to you on monday