Family's Boat gift to rescuers

By Patrick Tierney, The Star - Monday March 29th 2004

THE family of a schoolboy who drowned after he fell into the sea from a pier near his home in January have presented the rescue team with a new lifeboat to commemorate their son - and to help future rescues in the area.

Jordan Murdock (14) from Killough, Co Down, slipped into the sea as he played with friends on January 11th and was swept away by currents.

The Boyne Fisherman Search and Rescue Team were present throughout the three-week search before Jordan's body was found.

The €14,000 boat will bear Jordan's name - and was paid for with donations from the local community. It was presented to the team at a ceremony in Killough on Saturday by Jordan's mum, Carrie. The Drogheda divers have agreed to set up a unit in Killough.

Mrs Murdock said: "The Boyne divers were fantastic, we will never forget their efforts."

Local Sinn Fein Councillor Eamonn MacConmidhe also welcomed the family's gesture. "This is a wonderful gesture. Jordan's mum agreed this was the best thing to do with all of the donations," he said.

© The Star