Divers recover teen’s body from quarry lake

The body of an 18-year-old boy was recovered from a quarry outside Wexford town after a swimming outing with friends went horribly wrong.

The body of Alan Murphy, from Larkins Cross, Barntown, just outside Wexford town, was taken from the bottom of the scenic Forth Mountain quarry at 7.30am yesterday by members of Wexford Sub Aqua Club who resumed the search at first light.

The teenager’s mother, Mary, was standing at the side of the quarry, being comforted by family and friends when his body was brought to the surface.

The alarm was raised at 7.30pm on Sunday by the gardaí when a 14-year-old was found clinging to an island in the middle of the quarry. He and a friend were airlifted to Wexford General Hospital and kept in for observation.

The 18-year-old remained missing overnight after a search by lifeboat personnel from Rosslare and the local Wexford Sub Aqua Club failed to find him.

In the weeks prior to this tragedy Wexford County Council had erected signs warning people there should be “No Diving” and “No Swimming” in the quarry.

Remembering Alan, Jim Dempsey, Carroreigh NS principal said: “He was a young fellow with a real twinkle in his eye, full of fun and the joys of life.”

He is survived by his mother Mary, and older brother, Darragh.