Gardaí and emergency services had to conduct a search and rescue operation off the coast of Buncrana in Co. Donegal on Saturday for three teenage males having difficulty in the water.RollingNews.ie
Two teenage boys have died after they got into difficulty while swimming off the coast of Buncrana, Donegal.
The duo were part of a group of three who had been swimming in the Lough Swilly area.
An alarm was raised at approximately 4pm on Saturday afternoon after the group got into difficulty in the water.
A multi-agency operation was carried out with two RNLI lifeboats deployed, assisted by teams from Mulroy and Greencastle coastguard units as well as a number of local yachts.
The Rescue 118 helicopter from Sligo also attended the scene.
One of the teenagers managed to swim to shore while a second teenager was taken from the sea in serious condition.
A statement from An Garda Síochána confirmed that this teenager has since passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning (May 11).
A separate teen who had been in the group was recovered from the water deceased on Saturday night.
A garda spokesperson said: ‘Gardaí and emergency services conducted a search and rescue operation off the coast of Buncrana in Co. Donegal on Saturday 10th May 2025.
‘Gardaí in Donegal North were alerted by the Coast Guard to a report of three males in difficulty in the water at approximately 4pm.
‘The local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.’
The statement added that investigations were ‘ongoing.’
On Saturday night, Donegal Councillor Joy Beard led tributes.
Taking to Facebook, Cllr Beard said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm the tragic news that the missing teenager has been recovered from the water in Buncrana. My deepest condolences go to their family and friends during this unimaginable time.
‘This is a profoundly sad day for our community. In the days and weeks ahead, may the affected families find strength and comfort. As a community, we will stand with them and support them in every way we can.’
He added his thanks to the Coast Guard, RNLI, Gardaí, ambulance and volunteers ‘for their efforts under such tragic and difficult circumstances.’
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.