Keeper of The Mill River

My friend Brendan McLaughlin sadly passed away a few months ago.

To me he was an eco-warrior around these parts, before it became fashionable.

Many’s a time when I called in on him, he was on or just off the phone or writing a letter to one of the government agencies, EPA, OPW, IFI, DCC.

It was all to do with one thing, protecting the environment and his number one priority was his beloved Mill River.

Brendan was a man of conviction and courage and A VERY GOOD FRIEND.

Brendan was secretary of the Mill Angling Association for years, also a Director of inishowen Rivers Trust and shortly before his death, he helped put together the Mill River Conservation Group and was Chair.

He left a legacy that will continue for years to come.
Pat Kane

“Brendan’s love was Buncrana and the environment, he soldiered on his own and anything he did, wasn’t for himself but to better the environment and Buncrana.”
Karl King

Singlehandly he raised a very contentous issue of an incursion into the Mill River at Victoria Bridge by going right to the top of the organisation responsible in Dublin and got a swift resolution to the shaninaginins on the banks of the river at the time.

I also raised the issue with The Geen Party at the same time but got nowhere.
That taught me a lesson.

Brendan was a keen golfer and a frequent player at the North West Golf Course.
He achieved The Captains Prize, three years in a row.

We will remember him always and the good work that he did for his community.

Rest a while on a bench provided by his family in his memory and think of him as “the keeper of the Mill River” and a fearless eco-warrior. RIP
Tony Grant