Funeral for 'charismatic' teenager held in Buncrana

The funeral of a 16-year-old schoolboy who died after getting into difficulty off the County Donegal coast has been held in Buncrana.

Emmanuel Familola was one of two teenagers who lost their lives in the incident outside the town last weekend.

A priest described Emmanuel as "charismatic" with an ability to "draw people to him".

Fr Francis Bradley, the parish priest in Buncrana, said he had a "real warmth, stature dignity, and nobility to him".

Fr Bradley told mourners it was a "profoundly sad day for everyone who has been touched and everyone has been touched by the enormity of this tragedy".

"This day last week events life-changed for so many people unspeakably in just a few moments when tragedy struck again.. particularly for the families of those involved, for all those who are closely most associated with them," he said.

Speaking about Emmanuel, Fr Francis Bradley said he was an "excellent student who always gave his best".

"He had a serene magnetism to him which crossed social, ethnic and cultural boundaries for his warmth and charisma spoke every language, touched every heart," he added.

He described how the boys were doing "what young boys would – playing football and going into the water to retrieve the ball".

"Despite constant warnings, how were they really to know the real power and danger of the water, the destructive currents and forces which lay beneath the otherwise picture-perfect sea on a surreal afternoon," he said.

Fr Bradley said both boys had made a "profound impact on this community, not only by their death but by the way they lived".

"He was able way beyond his years perhaps because of all he had experienced.. he didn't allow the harsh things that he had seen to shape him instead he saw those as opportunities to enable him and others to move on and to move up in the world," he told mourners.

Pupils from Scoil Mhuire formed a guard of honour outside St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana before family members arrived.

Scoil Mhuire Principal Evelyn McLoughlin had said last weekend there were no words that could fully capture the pain and sorry that everyone in the school felt and they were truly heartbroken.

She said Emmanual Familola was known for his warm personality, gentle humour and thoughtful nature. He was highly regarded by staff and students alike.

He recently completed some work experience at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin which he thoroughly enjoyed.

A collage of photographs from his time on work experience was presented in the church as one of the offertory gifts during Requiem Mass.

His brother Daniel brought forward a Manchester City shirt as it was the team he supported. His other brother John presented a bible to reflect his deep faith.

His Principal said he was ambitious and full of potential and he never failed to show gratitude. His brother also attends the school and he is being supported by staff.

Hundreds of people made their way to St Mary's Oratory in the town to pay their respects.

They included representatives of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the emergency services.

The family of Emmanuel, which includes his mother and two brothers, are said to be heartbroken by his tragic death.

The teenager, who was originally from Nigeria, lost his life alongside his friend Matt Sibanda, 18, who was a native of Zimbabwe.

Their respective schools, Scoil Mhuire and Crana College, said classmates were devastated at the loss of two popular friends.

They have been providing guidance and support to fellow pupils who turned out to attend the Requiem Mass.

The tragedy unfolded last Saturday afternoon after several teenagers got into difficulty at Ned's Point.

They had been playing football on the beach and had went into the water to retrieve a ball.

Later that evening, the body of Matt Sibanda was recovered from Lough Swilly.

Emmanuel Familola was rescued and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital but died in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

A third teenage boy managed to make it back to shore.

Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley said the community had been a great source of strength to the grieving families.

The funeral of Matt Sibanda will take place next week.

Matt attended Crana College where he had been preparing to sit his leaving certificate exam next month.

School principal Kevin Cooley described his pupil as "the most respectful young man you could ever meet".

Both teenagers had been living with their families in separate international protection centres in Buncrana.

Last Sunday, hundreds of people attended a vigil for both teenagers at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana which was led by the Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown.

Bishop McKeown, along with the clery in the diocese, extended their condolences to the Familola and Sibanda families.