Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is “very saddened” by the “heartbreaking loss” of two teen boys who drowned in County Donegal.
Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda lost their lives in Buncrana over the weekend after entering the sea to retrieve a ball they had been playing with alongside other friends.
Martin expressed his condolences on X, saying, “Very saddened at the shocking and tragic passing of Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda in Buncrana over the weekend.
A heartbreaking loss of two young lives.
Thinking of their families, friends, the local community and the first responders at this devastating time.”
Bishop Dónal McKeown led a vigil in remembrance of the victims in Buncrana.
The accident which cost the youths their lives took place yesterday afternoon after three teens got into difficulty while swimming near Ned’s Point just outside Buncranna town.
16-year-old Emmanuel, who was from Nigeria, was taken from that water and conveyed to hospital, but passed away some hours later.
18-year-old Matt’s body was recovered from the water shortly before 10pm last night. He was from Zimbabwe.
Both boys were living in IPAS provided accommodation in the area, and had come to Ireladn with their families to apply for refugee status.
Crana College and Scoil Mhuire – where the victims attended school – said the deaths have caused a sense of “profound shock”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with the wider Buncrana community,” the principals of the schools said in a joint statement.
“This is a tragedy that words cannot fully express.” they added.