​Almost £25,000 donated in memory of Silverbridge teen Lochlann Murray

Lochlann, 17, died in July at the Cliffs of Moher. Rockcorry Divers came to the aid of his family as the Coast Guard were unable to recover his body from the rocks two days after his fall.

Frank McDermott, chairman of the organization, expressed his deep gratitude for the contribution, emphasizing its importance in supporting their vital work.

He shared a saying - “There is no hard shoulder at sea” - which aptly describes the reality of their operations.

Whether facing calm waters or extreme conditions, their effectiveness in search and recovery missions across the country hinges on the quality and reliability of their equipment.

One of their most essential assets is The Deep Explorer, a 9-meter diesel RIB powered by a 450-horsepower V8 engine. Built for extreme conditions by Tornado in Denmark and delivered in August 2023, the Deep Explorer is specially designed to withstand the rough coastal waters of Ireland. It has already proven invaluable in several operations, underscoring its critical role in the fleet.

Given the demanding nature of their work, Frank highlighted the ongoing need to maintain a well-equipped fleet. To further enhance their capabilities, the organisation is currently seeking funding for an additional vessel, which will be named in honour of Lochlann.

This donation, along with other generous contributions, will be used toward the purchase of this new vessel, helping to expand their operational capacity and continue providing effective search and recovery services.

The process of acquiring a new vessel is complex and resource-intensive, but every donation, including this recent one, brings them closer to achieving that goal.

Frank emphasized the immense impact of support from the local South Armagh community and the wider region, which allows them to maintain high safety and efficiency standards.

The generosity of donors is critical, enabling the organization to invest in top-tier equipment essential to their missions.

The event at Silverbridge Community Centre was closed by Peter McCamley, Rockcorry Diving Officer, thanking supporters for standing with them and contributing to the safety and well-being of those in need.

Rockcorry Divers will begin their winter training operations soon, and those interested in participating in Search & Rescue or pursuing Deep Sea Diver Training can visit www.rockcorrydivers.com for more information.

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