A councillor in Donegal has paid tribute to two teenages who lost their lives over the weekend as “two young men who carried themselves with great dignity” during their short lives. 

16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda died after they tried to retrieve a football from Lough Swilly. 

On Lunchtime Live, Sinn Féin Cllr Jack Murray described Buncrana as “absolutely devastated” by their loss. 

“Young boys, young men lost their lives in the most tragic of circumstances,” he said. 

“I spent all day yesterday just listening to stories and tributes to these young men. 

“It’s so clear just how loved and respected they were in their community. 

“One word that was used to describe them very regularly was ‘respectful’.

“They were clearly two young men who carried themselves with great dignity.”

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.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 11, 2025

Cllr Murray said that the pair were clearly “loved” by their school peers. 

“I was in Buncrana College yesterday where Matt was going to school,” he said. 

“This huge crowd of his school friends were just absolutely numb, just weeping together and you could see just how missed these young men are going to be,” he said. 

Cllr Murray added that many people go to Lough Swilly to enjoy themselves and you would “just never expect such a tragic and horrendous outcome.” 

“Donegal had won the Ulster championship, it was a day to celebrate,” he said. 

“The news that came through just devastated everybody, it was a real sucker punch. 

“It was the innocence; just a couple of lads out playing football as we’ve all done. 

“I would have kicked the ball around that place myself many days.”

Main image: Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda.