‘We are heartbroken’ – priest in tribute to two teenagers who died in Donegal swimming tragedy

The two, aged 16 and 18, died after getting into difficulty while swimming off Buncrana.

A third teenager believed to be aged 19 is in serious condition in hospital.

All three were international protection applicants understood to be from Africa and who had lived in the area with their families for a number of years and had attended school locally.

Gardaí and emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation after gardaí were alerted by the Coast Guard to a report of three males aged between 16 and 19 in difficulty in the water at approximately 4pm.

Today’s News in 90 seconds – 11th May 2025

One of the men managed to swim to shore while another was later rescued from the water.

He was taken from the sea by rescuers and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital.

However, he died overnight.

A widespread search for the third person was launched and a body was recovered from the water around 9pm on Saturday night.

The search centred on the shoreline in Buncrana between Ned’s Point and Fahan.

Speaking at mass at St Mary’s Chapel in Cockhill on Sunday morning, Fr Francis Bradley prayed for the two young men who lost their lives in the tragedy.

“We are conscious of having lost two of our new parishioners overnight,” Fr Bradley said.

“We are heartbroken at their loss but we pray for them and for their families.”

Speaking later on RTÉ, Fr Bradley added that there was a terrible feeling of “here we go again” in Buncrana today.

“We’ve had so many tragedies here, far too many like this. I suppose we are a beauty spot and because of that, it’s almost like there are sirens that call us into the water,” he said.

“These young lads I suppose just weren’t aware of the dangers. It’s beautiful, yes, but there are tremendous dangers, especially when the tide is pulling out, there are huge currents.

“Unfortunately they were not able to fight that, or maybe to understand how to go along with it until they could find a little eddy where they could maybe get out of the water.

“Who knows how any of us would react in such circumstances?

“The feeling among the community is one of great bewilderment and of solidarity too, and a great sense of loss.

“These are new parishioners. They’re not immigrants, they’re new parishioners, new members of our community.”

Following the incident, Lough Swilly RNLI expressed their condolences to the young men’s families and thanked those who assisted in the search.

“Everyone at Lough Swilly RNLI is deeply saddened at the tragic loss of life yesterday evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the two boys.

“Thanks to everyone who was involved in the rescue effort yesterday, all the volunteers and especially those that joined the search from Fahan Marina.”

Local county councillor Jack Murray said there were no words to describe how the community in Buncrana felt following the tragedy.

He praised the work of local volunteers as well as the emergency services who assisted in the search and rescue operation.

“Our emergency services have once again demonstrated courage and professionalism in unthinkable circumstances,” Cllr Murray said.

“We have been hit with so many tragedies and horrendous events in this area. Each time the emergency services are called upon, they stand up without fail.”

A prayer vigil is being held at 4pm today in St Mary’s Oratory, Buncrana, to offer support to the families and the local community.

Cllr Joy Beard, who attended the scene on Saturday evening, said the community is in shock and disbelief.

“This morning we awoke to the devastating news that a second teenager involved in yesterday’s tragic events has sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning,” she said.

“As a community, we are devastated beyond words to have lost two young lives so full of promise.

“We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to their families, friends, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss. In the days ahead, we will stand together to support one another in grief and in love.”

A spokesperson for gardaí said their investigations were ongoing. The local coroner has been notified of the teenagers’ deaths and post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course.