''Our gentlemen always. Our terrible loss'''
Community leaders in Co. Clare have described the tragic death of two teenage boys, who drowned in a disused quarry on the outskirts of Ennis yesterday afternoon, as a 'terrible and shocking tragedy.'
The two boys got into difficulty while swimming at the quarry on the Tulla Road yesterday afternoon.
They have been named locally as Jack Kenneally and Shay Moloney - both aged 15 and from Ennis.
Emergency services, gardaí and the Civil Defence arrived on the scene as soon as possible, however it's understood they searched for over 40-minutes before they located the teenagers.
They were airlifted to University Hospital Limerick but were pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The two-boys were both members of the Ennis Rugby Club. The club took to twitter earlier this morning
The post read:
''Jack and Shay
Our brothers in arms. Our warriors when the going got tough. Our leaders when the pressure came on. Our pride when they took the field. Our joy when they lit it up off the field. Our devilment when it all got too serious. Our gentlemen always. Our terrible loss'''
Jack and Shay
Our brothers in arms. Our warriors when the going got tough. Our leaders when the pressure came on. Our pride when they took the field. Our joy when they lit it up off the field. Our devilment when it all got too serious. Our gentlemen always. Our terrible loss. pic.twitter.com/W1Qp9PZrIa
— Ennis Rugby Club (@EnnisRugby) June 1, 2018
Deputy Mayor of Ennis Ann Norton said that everybody in Ennis and across the county are in shock that two young people could lose their lives in such a tragic way.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ms Norton said that the two boys were well known in rugby circles in Ennis.
She said it was devastating to read the posts on social media from young people last night.
Ms Norton said the two schools the boys attended have put critical incident plans in progress to support teachers and students and have made counsellors available.
