Momentous occasion for local rescue group

Drogheda Leader 3rd March 2004

MONDAY saw the momentous turning of the sod for the new boathouse for the Boyne Fisherman's Rescue and Recovery Service (BFRRS).

The new 600 metre squared boathouse will be located on a one acre site right on the banks of the River Boyne due east of the Boyne Viaduct.

Mayor Maria O'Brien-Campbell performed the honours, after Father Keary, PP. Holy Family, blessed the site.

The Mayor said, "Your work is about doing something to help somebody. You are and have been a great source of comfort and security to may members of the community."

Cur. Sean Collins thanked all those involved in getting the project to this stage, and will later bring the boathouse to fruition. He thanked the then Mayor Cllr. Malachy Godfrey, all the Councillors who supported the project whole-hearteril Town Clerk Des Foley and the former borough engineer, John Dineen, as well as many more.

He expressed his great thanks to Emmet Humphries of Finn-Humphries Architects for designing the building. He also paid special thanks to John Pentony of Jons Engineering who volunteered his services for the construction of the boathouse.

Michael Hodgins, Chairman of BFRRS said, "The lads are on top of the world."

He explained that the boathouse is hoped to be up and rurming before August. He again also thanked all those involved, former Mayor Malachy Godfrey, CUr. Sean Coffins, the Corporation, Caffey's Cabs for their pager system, Cllr. Tommy Murphy, Cult Tommy Moore and Alderman Jimmy Mulroy.

Cllr Frank Godfrey said, "I'm absolutely delighted that the site has been made available. They do tremendous work. We remember those who have lost their lives, our thoughts are with the families."

One relative touched by the BFRIRS work, is John McGahey. His son Niall, 19, was lost in the Boyne over 12 months ago. Mr. McGahey explained that Niall was lost for six weeks. He said, "Personally, they kept me going. They were out in all weathers to find him.

Risking their own lives to find him. At the time my son was missing, the Boyne was in full swell. It was really something. At 3.3Oam they would be out, even on Christmas Day." Niall went missing on November 16th 2002, and recovered on Christmas Day of that year.

Mr. McGahey and his family a held flmdraiser for the BFRRS, "It was just as a way of thanking them. They are fantastic. They are essential for the town of Dmgheda

Mary Johnson, spokesperson for families who have lost loved ones in drowning tragedies said, "They have saved countless lives over the years. The work they have done, in recovering lost loved ones, nationwide will never be forgotten, The sheer volume of work the Boyne Fishermen do is staggering."

© Drogheda Leader