Drowning victim was a "credit to his mother", funeral hears

by Louise Doyle
A TEENAGE boy who died after getting into difficulty in water close to Ned’s Point in Buncrana was remembered as “a credit to his mother”, and as a person who brought a “wealth of joy” to the hearts of his mum and family.

Emmanuel Familola (16) had gone into the water to retrieve a ball he was using to play football with on Saturday last when he got into difficulty.

He was taken from the scene to Letterkenny University Hospital but despite efforts to save him, he passed away during the early hours of Sunday morning last.

His friend, Matt Sibanda (18) also lost his life in the tragedy. His body was found by rescuers in the sea on Saturday night after 9pm.

At the outset of Mr Familola’s Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Oratory this morning, a family spokesperson thanked all those who had helped the family from the moment of the tragedy and the days since.

“On behalf of the African community in Donegal, Derry and Ireland, on behalf of Gloria and family back home in Nigeria, we want to say thank you to the Irish people.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you for being there from the moment this tragedy happened.

“I want to thank the RNLL and the staff at LUH, who tried so hard to save Emmanuel.We cant thank you enough for supporting us.

“We want to thank the people of Buncrana. We have never experienced this unity you have given to us. We can’t expess this feeling we have seen the unity in Buncrana.”

Fr Francis Bradley, Parish Priest, told of how on this beautiful morning, and in a place of outstanding natural beauty, people from many different cultures and languages gathered as one.

He welcomed Emmanuel’s mum, Gloria, his two brothers, Daniel and John, government officials, Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana and its principal, Evelyn McLaughlin, Crana College, the Safe Haven Community and members of An Garda Siochana, the coast guard and RNLI.

Fr Cajetan Apeh, from Nigeria, who is living in Termonbacca, Derry, concelebrated the Mass.

A number of items representing Emmanuel’s life were brought to the alter, including a collage of photos from his recent trip to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Emmanuel’s brother Daniel brought forward Emmanuel’s Manchester City top, while his other brother John offered Emmanuel’s bible. Poignantly, a certificate Emmanuel was to receive last week for time spent at the Department of Foreign Affairs was also brought to the alter.

Fr Francis Bradley spoke of the importance of names, not only in this part of the world but also in Nigeria, where Emmanuel was born.

The eldest of three sons, Emmanuel was born on April 17, 2009.

“This young man of noble bearing was a person who brought a wealth of joy and peace to his mother’s and family’s hearts. He gently helped to guide, protect and feed others in their needs.

“He was the eldest grandchild in the family circle, but not in the first world sense of being snappy and impolite, but to the contrary. He was kind and so, so respectful. He possessed a plethora of gifts, and every one of them he carried with good humour.”

Fr Bradley said Emmanuel looked out for those who were more vulnerable.

“He will be sorely missed by his friends and contemporaries.

“He was a credit to his mother and family.”

Fr Bradley spoke of the importance of never letting harsh experiences define a person, but rather to let them deepen our resolve.

He remembered Emmanuel and Matt’s friends, who tried to hard to save them.

He spoke of how, despite the glorious weather, the light is reflecting differently in parts of Lough Swilly conveying the mood of everyone’s broken hearts.

Praising the heroic actions of the RNLI, Fr Bradley said: “It is distressingly difficult to overcome this tragendy but it must be unbearable for the RNLI, the yachts that combed Lough Swilly looking for them, and for their friends.”

He said Nigeria and Buncrana share a common bond.

“Nigeraia and Buncrana share a lot in common, they both take their names from the rivers than run through them – water therefore lies at the heart of their names, their origin, their destiny.

“While water may have been the cause of Emmanuel’s death bringing sorrow, it also brings hope, He is now with God in heaven. Water may have been what took him from us, but it is what will bind us to him, especially to his mother.”

Following Requiem Mass, Emmanuel was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Cockhill.

Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere