Drowning of teenagers remains an open wound, funeral told

RTÉ News​

31-05-2025

The second of two teenagers who died when they got into difficulty in Lough Swilly, Co Donegal, three weeks ago was "a truly special soul" who was the "kind of person who made others feel seen, heard, and valued, mourners at his funeral were told.
The requiem mass of 18-year-old Matt Sibanda took place at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana this morning.
Matt Sibanda died along with his friend 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola after getting into difficulty while swimming to retrieve a football in Lough Swilly on 10 May.
Mourners at the funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory were told by Buncrana Parish Priest Fr Francis Bradley that the drowning of the two teenagers remains an "open wound" for the whole community, but most especially for the grieving families.
Matt Sibanda was a pupil at Crana College and his classmates, school staff members, neighbours, friends from Buncrana Hearts FC and members of the Safe Haven Church Community attended the funeral.
It was also streamed to family back in Zimbabwe.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were represented by aide-de-camp Commandant Joe Glennon and his chaplain Fr Daniel McFaul.
Representatives of the emergency services, An Garda Síochána, the RNLI, the Coastguard, and the Ambulance Service, were also in attendance.
Fr Bradley welcomed Matt's mother Bonnie, his three siblings, his grandmother, members of his extended family and friends.
Fr Bradley said the events of the afternoon of 10 May will remain with the community of Buncrana for a long time.
He said that while three weeks have passed, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel remains an open wound and a sore blow for all the community but most especially for the grieving families.
"We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it.
"While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened," Fr Bradley said.
Matt turned 18 the month before he died. He had arrived in Buncrana in late 2023.
Funeral proceedings began with the Zimbabwean national anthem. Matt's uncle, Buhle, spoke before mass and thanked those who came to remember and honour his nephew.
He said Matt moved through life with quiet dignity and deep respect for others, whether speaking with older people, elders or playing with younger children.
"Though his life was far too short, Matt left us with memories and moments that will live on forever. He may no longer walk beside us, but he lives in our hearts in his gentle smile, in his respectful words, in the quiet strength of his presence," he said.
Fr Bradley said from Matt's earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, he has always been "recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart".
He said Matt was the eldest child, and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone but most especially to his mother.
The funeral heard Matt was very humble and that he always looked out for siblings.
Both Matt and Emmanuel had been living with their families in separate international protection centres in Buncrana.