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Provision of slipway that bit closer after meeting Last week we published an article on a proposed meeting to see if a new slipway could be provided into the River Dee, for the Boyne Fishermens River Rescue, Recovery, and Garda Coastwatch Service. It may be recalled where it was stated some time ago that the river rescue service had problems launching their rescue boats into the Dee in emergency situations. On occasions they would have to lower their boats from a bridge, as no proper slipway is available along the banks. This week we can reveal that a meeting took place, following an inspection of the river on Friday last. Involved in the meeting were Louth County Council Executive Engineer, Mr. Paul Gallagher; Mr. Micheal Hodgins, Chairman of the Boyne Fishermen Rescue and Recovery Service; Frank Smyth, Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Service, and Ardee woman, Mary Johnson, who is the driving force, behind the campaign. Ms Johnson said that it was a most constructive meeting: "We walked along the banks of the river, inspecting various sites for a new slipway. The Council Engineer, Mr. Gallagher was most helpful. He seems very keen and interested in the rescue service for Ardee". She continued; "I am delighted with the progress we made. There is goodwill on all sides to provide Ardee with better river rescue, and I can see us making progress on other fronts when we have a proper slipway provided. "Our next step is to organise volunteers in Ardee who would like to form a branch of the Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Service. We feel that such a branch could be of great benefit to the town as we could have a quick response unit in the event of a river emergency. "Those interested will have full training in river rescue, both in Ardee, and Drogheda, and also at sea. It would be great to have our own branch in Ardee. "Anyone interested can contact Michael Hodgins at 087 2334256, or myself, at 087 6748571. We are looking forward to a good number of people who will be interested". It was also learned that members of the Boyne River Rescue Service and Ms. Johnson will meet with Ardee Town Council at their October meeting. They have also been in contact with the Dee and Glyde Fishing club, with whom a meeting is also expected to take place. Over a number of years Ms. Johnson has put in a huge amount on time, and effort on behalf of the Boyne Fishermens Rescue and Recovery Service with fund raising, and it now looks that her campaign to have a new slipway provided will be successful. Her efforts to have a branch of the Rescue Service formed in Ardee wil no doubt, get the full backing of all Ardonians and th across Mid-Louth. © Dundalk Democrat |
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