Given what is happening in so many parts of the world, in Ukraine, where death rains from the sky, it is all the harder to understand sudden death in a place as peaceful as Creeslough, County Donegal.
But sudden death came to this tranquil place last week by way of an explosion at a petrol station, this as people were going about their normal lives and looking forward to the weekend.
Once again we are being reminded about the fragility of life, how precious it is, how fleeting.
We grieve with the people of Creeslough, of Donegal, of all of Ireland as this was indeed an all-island tragedy, expressed visibly in the immediate response of emergency services from across the border.
It goes without saying that the explosion that snuffed out ten lives has to be thoroughly investigated so that a tragedy such as this never happens again.
President michael D Higgins, as he so often does, captured the moment with his words: He said: “May I, as President, 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 Creeslough, Co Donegal.
All of our thoughts must go out to all of 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 have 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. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”
