A man and his two children have died after their car entered the water at Three Trees, Quigley's Point in Co Donegal last night.
John and Geraldine Mullan had taken their children Tomás, 14, and 6-year-old Amelia ten-pin bowling in Derry and were returning to their home in Moville.
Shortly before 10.30pm, their car skidded off the road and plunged down an embankment into the waters of Lough Foyle.
Mrs Mullan, 45, who was a front-seat passenger, managed to get out of the vehicle but her husband John and their two young children died.
Mrs Mullan is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Letterkenny Hospital.
Conditions on the road, which winds along the shoreline of Lough Foyle, were described as treacherous at the time.
There was heavy rain, strong winds and a high tide, with waves crashing on to the road.
Garda forensic officers today searched the road seeking clues to why the car may have skidded.
Local people say the family was well known in Moville, and very popular.
Mr Mullan ran a garden centre in the town and his wife works at Letterkenny Hospital, where she is now being treated.
Speaking to RTÉ's Drivetime, the parish priest of Iskaheen said the local community is "shocked" about what happened.
Fr John Farren said: "This rural community will always stick together, and Geraldine will have all the backing that they can offer, for as long as it is needed."
In a statement this afternoon, Moville Community College paid tribute to the family.
The school said: "We remember our student, Tomás Mullan, who was due to begin third year next week, his dad, John and little sister, Ameila. We are deeply saddened by their deaths."
It said: "Tomás was an extremely popular second-year student with a close circle of friends. He loved Judo and was a keen musician."
The school added supports have been put in place friends and classmates of Tomás.
