Rescuers granted base space

By MICHELLE O'KEEFFE, Sunday Mirror - May 4th 2003

A VOLUNTARY river rescue team has won a battle for land on which to build a lifeboat station.

After years of campaigning The Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service in Drogheda, Co Louth, have been donated land by Drogheda Council.

Now the rescue team's supporters are raising money to build a muchneeded boathouse.

Mary Johnson, a spokesperson for Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones In Drowning Tragedies, has campaigned tirelessly for the allocation of land and says she will carry on until the boathouse is built.

Mary lost her six-year old nephew, Paul McKenny, when he fell off a bridge and into the River Dee.

"This rescue service has rescued hundreds of people from drowning and will kept searching for as long as it takes to recover loved ones' bodies.

"This boathouse s really needed as they have no facilities - despite the fact that the volunteers are on the river 14 hours a day.

"Now that we have the land the race is on to raise money to build the lifeboat house. It is amazing what can be done when a community pulls together."

Mayor of Drogheda, Malachy Godfrey, said: "The volunteers of the Rescue and Recovery Service do a wonderful work and deserve their own place."

The new boathouse will be able to store six to eight boats, a meeting room, radio room and recovery unit.

Anyone wishing to help can make a donation to bank account 38800417, Bank of Ireland, St Laurance St, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

© Sunday Mirror