Gardaí in Galway are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three young men, who died after their car plunged into the River Corrib at the weekend.

The scene has since re-opened to the public.

A stunned silence lingers across Menlo this afternoon as the scale of the tragedy, in which three teenagers lost their lives, begins to unfold.

16-year-old John Keenan and 17-year-old Wojciech Panek died when their vehicle plunged into the River Corrib at Menlo Pier shortly after 2.30am yesterday.

The third young man 19-year-old Christopher Stokes, a cousin of John Keenan, passed away at a university hospital Galway at around 4.30 yesterday afternoon.

Today, locals huddled together in small groups, exchanging a few words, trying to make sense of the loss.

Local Councillor Frank Fahy says it's a terrible tragedy.

The exact circumstances of how the car ended up in Menlo pier have not been established, but it is believed the car flipped upside down onto its roof after it entered the water, trapping the three teenagers inside for as long as 15 minutes.

Tributes have been paid to John Keenan and Christopher Stokes by the Olympic boxing club in Galway.

In a post on Facebook. It said it's with deep pain, heartbreak and sorrow that the untimely and tragic death has occurred of two of our boxers, two exceptional young men.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who might have information to come forward.