Inishowen MD meeting adjourned in tribute to drowned teens
At the start of the meeting, Inishowen Cathoirleach Jack Murray said that all nine County Councillors had agreed to defer the meeting until July 1st, as a “mark of respect, while the community continues to grieve for 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda.”
The monthly meeting of Inishowen Municipal District was adjourned last week as a mark of respect for the two teenage boys, who died after getting into difficulty off the coast at Ned’s Point in Buncrana.
At the start of the meeting, Inishowen Cathoirleach Jack Murray said that all nine County Councillors had agreed to defer the meeting until July 1st, as a “mark of respect, while the community continues to grieve for 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda.”
The Sinn Féin Councillor stated that Inishowen folk and people further afield are still grieving the loss of the two boys, in particular the school communities of Crana College and Scoil Mhuire, where they were students, and the IPAS centres locally, where they lived.
The adjournment was proposed by Fianna Fail County Councillor and Scoil Mhuire teacher Fionán Bradley, who reflected on having the privilege of teaching young Emmanuel, “who had transitioned into the school so seamlessly and was really at home there.”
Councillor Bradley said his thoughts and prayers were with the young man’s family and those of Matt, for whom funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.
He added how he had “no doubt both young men would have gone on to have very bright futures.”
The motion was seconded by Councillor Joy Beard, who spoke of how the community had been left “devastated” by the loss of the young men.
She said their loss has been deeply felt by the whole community.
“Two young lives, full of promise, have been taken from us far too soon.”
The 100% Redress Party Councillor commended the Buncrana community for the support they have delivered in the darkest of times, as “kindness has overflowed” from the community – and this was a reminder of how “we come together and support each other.”
The meeting was closed out with a minute’s silence in memory of the two boys.
Meanwhile, a fundraiser to support the families of the boys has now reached €43,000. The donations page can be found, here on GoFundMe at Lough Swilly Tragedy
.