County Donegal, Ireland – The tragic explosion in County Donegal on October 7, 2022, claimed the lives of ten individuals, including 14-year-old Leona Harper. She was one of the youngest victims of the devastating incident, and her mother, Donna Harper, has been grappling with the loss ever since.
Following the tragic event, proposals have been made to rebuild the commercial units on the site where the explosion occurred. Donna Harper, still reeling from the loss of her daughter, was approached with this redevelopment idea shortly after two individuals were arrested and then released in connection to the explosion investigation.
Donna, overwhelmed with emotions, expressed her disbelief at the proposition to rebuild on the very spot where her daughter and others lost their lives. She emphasized the significance of the location, referring to it as a ‘sacred and holy piece of ground’ that should not be tampered with.
The grieving mother is advocating for the site to be transformed into a memorial, a place where families and the community can visit to pay their respects and remember the lives lost in peace. She firmly believes that any other form of remembrance, such as a memorial garden or a place for peaceful reflection, would be more suitable than rebuilding on the site itself.
Since the discussion of redevelopment arose, Donna has been touched by the outpouring of support from the community. Friends and acquaintances, like Gemma Heaney, have stepped up to show their solidarity by setting up petitions and offering solace during this challenging time.
The petition, initiated earlier in the week, has already garnered nearly 400 signatures, highlighting the community’s united front in supporting Donna’s plea to preserve the site as a memorial. The tragic explosion not only claimed the lives of ten individuals, including Leona Harper, but also left lasting scars on the community of County Donegal.
As Donna continues to advocate for a memorial at the site, she remains grateful for the support and unity shown by those around her, emphasizing the importance of honoring the memory of those lost in the tragic event.