Locals in the town of Buncrana in Co Donegal have expressed shock and sadness following the deaths of 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola, and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda, saying that the "heartbreaking disaster" could have happened to anybody's child.
The two teenagers, originally from Nigeria and Zimbabwe respectively, died after getting into difficulty while swimming to retrieve a football in Lough Swilly at the weekend.
They were both living with their families in separate international protection centres in the Donegal town.
Faloke Bruce, a resident at the IPAS centre in Buncrana where Matt's mother Bonnie lives, spoke of the horror of what happened.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Bruce said: "It has been sad for everyone. Those two children were inspiring children. They were the best of friends. They were so close. They were promising children. To have their lives cut off like that - it is sad for us."
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She added: "It’s been sad. It has been very hard on her (Bonnie). She is only here with Matt and his little sister. It is sad for them because their family is back in Africa. It is sad for her, but we are there for her.
"It’s only God that can console her. As a mother we know what she is going through and we have supported her as we can but, for now, she is so sad."
She said she was on the shore watching the rescue as it unfolded.
"Someone from the hostel called and said they saw the ambulances and gardaí at the beach. I have three sons. I knew they were at the beach as well. They said one of the black guys were drowning. I had to run because I did not know the situation because I was scared for my children as well.
"I went with Matt’s mum. We were just praying but when we got to the beach, that was when we got to know that it was Matt was involved.
As the rescue happened, Ms Bruce said it was "sad" as the emergency services were looking for Matt.
"It was a painful experience. No one should go through it," she said.
"Everyone is completely in shock we are all devastated for the families"
Mayor of Inishowen Jack Murray said that the community of Buncrana was "absolutely heartbroken" following the deaths of the two boys.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, he said that he had visited the IPAS Centre where Emmanuel had been living, and described being there as "one of the most desperately sad experiences" he had ever witnessed.
"The one word that kept being used to describe them was 'respectful’ and 'very dignified' young men trying to better their lives in their new community, and they very much became part of the fabric of the community," he said.
"They clearly were very, very loved and respected young men."
Locals in Buncrana have described what happened as "incomprehensible".
"The only way I can describe it is a heartbreaking disaster," said local man Dessie Loughrey.
"The families will never get over that. It’s a black mark on their lives for the rest of their lives. We are all very sorry for them," he added.
"It’s a sad day for Buncrana. I knew Emmanuel. He was a civil chap and it was a tragedy. Very sad. It could be anybody’s child," said local woman Ursula McDaid.
"Everyone is completely in shock we are all devastated for the families. We are all thinking about them and we are here to support them if we can help them in any sort of way we can," said local man Carl Campbell.
Joe Joyce, who co-ordinated the rescue effort with Lough Swilly Lifeboat Service, said it was difficult for the rescue teams and the families.
He said that as the rescue unfolded there were "terrible scenes" as families gathered and watched the rescue from the shore.
First, he said, Emmanuel was recovered and taken to Letterkenny University Hospital and for four hours friends and families were "were praying and hoping" on the shore.
When Matt was recovered, a priest administered the last rites and "there were terrible, terrible scenes with people wailing," added Mr Joyce.
"The silence and the cries of the mother were just heartbreaking," Mr Joyce said.
"It's a mother’s worst nightmare"
Ruth Garvey-Williams, a volunteer at the Exchange Community Centre which helps asylum seekers in the town, said the community exchange group is setting up a fundraising page for the families because they cannot afford funeral costs.
She was at the hospital with Emmanuel’s mother Gloria as he passed away.
"It was a heartbreaking moment. We were right up to the last moment hoping and praying … hoping for a miracle but then he passed away, sadly in the early hours of the morning," she said.
Gloria, she said, remains in shock.
"Devastation and heartbreak to lose her eldest son, her first child, when she has come here for safety in this country. It's a mother’s worst nightmare," she added.
Ms Garvey-Williams said counselling is being put in place for IPAS families.
Teacher and Fianna Fáil councillor Fionán Bradley from Scoil Mhuire taught Emmanuel.
"Emmanuel was a beautiful individual both inside and out. He was a big gentle giant and he had a lovely big broad smile," said Cllr Bradley.
He was finishing transition year "and had just completed a number of days work experience in the department of foreign affairs. He absolutely loved it."
Cllr Bradley added it was such a shock for other students and that counselling services are now in place for them to avail of.
He added it is "incomprehensible the pain and grief" that the families are going through.
Patrick McLaughlin from Buncrana said a "stillness" could be felt in the town.
"All the joy was taken out of the weekend. When you think of two young lads playing football on a beach on a beautiful day and it can turn to tragedy.
"When something like this happens to youngsters, it's a terrible thing. This is a small community. We all feel it. We’re very sorry for their families".
Another Buncrana local, Joe Spoke, said what happened was a terrible tragedy - he learned to swim where the tragedy happened.
Christina O’Hagan, who was walking near Ned’s Point today, said people want to show their support and "to make sure the parents know people are thinking of them".
The Chief Executive of the Donegal Education and Training Board said the secondary schools which both young men attended have put their critical incident policies into action.
"The supports will continue in the schools for as long as they are needed. We are thinking of the students and of the families of Matt and Emmanuel at this difficult time for them," Anne McHugh said.
The Exchange Centre in Buncrana has been providing support to people living in IPAS accommodation locally.
Vigil held
A vigil was organised for the boys yesterday afternoon in St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana.
"If there's anything positive that could be taken from such a horrible tragedy was (that) the community showed itself in in all the goodness that exists there; the Chapel was well full over capacity," said Mr Murray.
"There was a couple of hundred people outside of the chapel, people coming forward in a very silent, dignified, proud way, just to tell the families of these two young boys that we’re with you, we’re standing with you, and as a community we’ll get through this together".
