Both Jack Kenneally (left) and Shay Moloney were rugby players in Ennis.Ennis Rugby Club

15-year-olds Jack Kenneally and Shay Moloney from Ennis, Co. Clare both drowned while swimming at an unused quarry just outside the town on Thursday afternoon.

According to an RTÉ report, they were swimming near the Tulla Road at a quarry lake in Ennis and leaders of the community said the deaths were “terrible and shocking.”

They were both airlifted to University Hospital Limerick following a call placed to the emergency services and Gardaí (police) regarding the accident at 3:30 p.m. local time.

Read more: Corkman saves young brothers, aged 6 and 8, from drowning

At first, they were treated at the quarry, but a Shannon-based rescue helicopter brought them to the hospital, where they were subsequently pronounced dead in the evening.

Currently, local Gardaí are investigating the deaths and seek to determine the nature of the tragic occurrence.