First sod on new boathouse turned

By FI0NA MAGENNIS, Mid Louth Independent - Friday March 5th 2004

THE first sod was officially turned this week on the new, state-of-the art Boathouse for the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service (BFRRS).

A site for the boathouse, the first of its kind in Europe, was donated to the Boyne Fishermen by Drogheda Borough Council and planning permission for the building was recently granted.

The news has been welcomed by the members of Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones in Drowning Tragedies. Spokesperson Mary Johnson said this has been long-awaited and would prove hugely beneficial for the BFRRS.

Quite a while back we wrote letters and made a plea for land arid a new boathouse for the Boyne Fishermen's Rescue and Recovery Service. We were overwhelmed with the support we received.

We were given the support of the former Mayor of Drogheda, Malachy Godfrey and present Mayoress Maria O'Brien Campbell as well as all the members of Drogheda Borough Council, the Borough Engineer and Town Clerk, Superintendent Fergus Doggett, Drogheda Port Authority and many other people along the way,' she commented.

The new boathouse will be situated on the Marsh Road, beside the River Boyne with a slipway going directly into the river and a number of local companies have come on board to provide help and materials for the venture.

According to Ms Johnson, between 2002 and 2004. 13 people lost their lives in the River Boyne.

© Mid Louth Independent