Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Corrib in Co Galway in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Gardaí said they received a report of a car in the water at Menlo Pier on the outskirts of Galway city at around 2.40am.
Three teenagers were taken from the water and transferred to University Hospital Galway.
Two of the teenagers were pronounced dead early yesterday. They were named as 16-year-old John Keenan and 17-year-old Wojcieck Panek.
The third teenager, a 19-year-old, died in hospital yesterday afternoon. He has been named as Christopher Stokes.
Tributes have been paid to John Keenan and Christopher Stokes by the Olympic Boxing Club in Galway.
In a post on Facebook, it described them as "exceptional young men and too young to go".
It added: "Rest in perfect peace boys, we're all broken hearted."
In an earlier tribute to John Keenan, it said: "It's with deep pain, heartbreak and sorrow that the untimely and tragic death has occurred of one of our boxers John Keenan this morning.
"John has been with us at Olympic BC since he was 10 … after following his brother through our doors.
"John had always had a big smile on his face and would go out of his way to do anything for anyone. He never let anything get him down."
Menlo Pier has reopened following a technical examination.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who has information that can assist with the investigation to contact them on 091-538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
They are keen to speak to anyone who saw a 08 D blue Peugeot 308 in the area on Friday night.
Garda Superintendent Gerard Roche has appealed for information following a fatal car crash in Galway in which three teenagers died | Read more: https://t.co/6AAfEI37CM pic.twitter.com/MGIqQns4gg
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 11, 2023
Local people in the quiet community around Menlo Pier expressed deep shock at the fatal incident.
Padhraic Ó Fathaigh lives close to the pier and said he heard a siren and voices at around 3am and went to investigate.
He said he saw a black car overturned in the water and multiple vehicles including fire engines and ambulances.
"Gardaí were trying to pull the car from the water with a rope. It's just tragic."
Councillor Frank Fahy said it was a terrible day for the families of the dead young men and the local community in Menlo is trying to process the tragedy.
"This is a quiet rural area outside of the city," he said.
"I grew up here and we're absolutely devastated. Nothing like this has ever happened before.
"People come here for recreational pursuits and it's such a scenic tranquil area. My deepest sympathies to the families of these young males who have died."
