Blessing ceremony of new boat donated to Meath River Rescue

A NEW boat which was donated to Meath River Rescue was blessed by Rev Richard Matthews, PP Slane in a moving ceremony in Navan recently.

The boat was purchased as a result of a huge fundraising drive by the Smyth and Collins family in memory of James Smyth Collins.

The boat was purchased and handed over to Meath River Rescue at their facility in Beechmount industrial estate.

Cllr Wayne Harding paid tribute to the work the Meath River Rescue carry out on an ongoing basis, at times when tragedy visits families all over the county.

"You would always hope that the facilities are not called upon, but it is a fact of life that they will be and more often than not it is in extreme weather conditions which damage equipment and boats. "The Collins and Smyth families are very well liked and highly respected within their community and in the aftermath of the tragedy there was an extraordinary community response first of all in the search when their beloved James went missing last summer and then in the massive fundraising drive."

"The new boat, named after James was blessed by Fr Matthews at what was a really beautiful ceremony. May all stay safe who sail in her," he said.