Everything and the kitchen sink in Boyne

By CAROLINE KAVANAGH, Drogheda Independent - Friday April 16th 2004

OVER 2,000 troliles have been retrieved from the River Boyne in the past three years, according to Michael Hodgrns of Boyne Fisherman's Rescue & Recovery Service.

The group has been assisting Drogheda Borough Council with its Riverwatch Scheme under the guidance of Environmental Officer Michael McCabe.

This week saw three lorry loads of waste removed from the river to be sorted and recycled by Borough Council staff. It included the now infamous shopping trollies, metal and steel equipment, building materials, bicycles, toys, children's buggies, tyres, televisions, chairs, trees and timber, bed springs, as well as numerous other items. A car is to be removed from the Boyne this week having been first marked with a buoy by the BFRRS.

'This rubbish hampers the recovery of bodies when we are searching,' explained Michael Hodgins.

'This on-going clean up will assist us in rescue and recovery and will also benefit the fishermen as the river will be a lot cleaner. 'It's great to see the Borough Council taking away the rubbish we drag out and we support the Riverwatch scheme 100%.'

'Drogheda Borough Council aims to improve water quality through this scheme, and we are keeping an eye on the river on a constant basis,' said Michael McCabe of DBC.

© Drogheda Independent