Funeral details announced for teenager who died in Lough Swilly tragedy last weekend

Emmanuel Familola, one of the victims of the tragedy in Lough Swilly in Donegal at the weekend, will be laid to rest on Saturday.

The 16-year-old passed away at Letterkenny University Hospital having been plucked from the water after getting into difficulty while swimming off Buncrana. His friend, 18-year-old Matt Sibanda, also lost his life in the tragic incident.

Emmanuel's remains will be reposing in St. Mary's Oratory, Buncrana on Friday evening, May 16, from 5pm to 10pm. People are invited to come to pay their respects.

Requiem Mass takes place on Saturday morning, May 17, at 10am in St Mary’s Oratory, followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Cockhill.

He is survived by his loving mother Glory, his brothers Daniel and John, his extended family and friends.

Funeral details for Matt Sibanda have not yet been confirmed. 

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After the alarm was raised at around 4pm, Emmanuel was taken from the water and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital with the aid of a Garda escort, but he died a short time later. Only last week, he completed work experience in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. 

A major operation, co-ordinated by the Malin Head Coastguard, involved the Lough Swilly Lifeboat, various Coast Guard units, the Rescue 118 helicopter and An Garda Siochana. A mayday call was also circulated and various vessels, including some yachts involved in a competition, assisted. 

The body of Matt Sibanda, was taken from the water at around 9pm after an extensive multi-agency search. His remains were brought ashore at Buncrana Pier where Fr Francis Bradley, the Parish Priest in Buncrana, administered the Last Rites. 

Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil, led by the Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown, at St Mary’s Oratory on Sunday afternoon. 

Over €35,000 has been raised in a GoFundMe organised by Insight Inishowen to help the heartbroken families with the funeral costs.

Matt and his family arrived in Donegal from Zimbabwe while Emmanuel’s family came from Nigeria.