Noel Johnston was among the local volunteers who assisted with the search for Kieran McAree at the beginning of 2015. Pictured are, from left, Bob Lyons, Pat Lunny, Kevin Treanor (Kieran McAree’s uncle) and Noel Johnston. RMG74
PEOPLE from the Monaghan community, involved in the search for the Kieran McAree have paid tribute to the late Noel Johnston for his support in their darkest times.
In a letter sent to the Herald signed on behalf of the McAree and Treanor families and the Monaghan community they remember a “wonderful gentleman”.
Kieran McAree went missing on Lough Erne on December 17, 2014 and after a coordinated search involving various agencies and volunteers his body was recovered on February 18, 2015. Noel Johnston, the former manager of Crom Castle West Wing, was one of the volunteers who assisted the family in the search and had been due to meet some of the McAree family for lunch in Monaghan on February 26 this year, the day of his death. In a heartfelt letter a tribute is paid charting a special friendship which had developed.
“Many people from Fermanagh joined with the Monaghan Community in the effort to recover the body during the 64 days of the protracted and difficult search. Early in the search a man and woman arrived with their boat, launched it and spent four or five hours on the waters. They then landed, packed up the boat and went off. We, coordinating the search for the McAree family, approached them on their second visit, and were introduced to Noel and Amanda by Bob Lyons. We invited them to join the others in the canteen for warm food. They did and thus began a friendship, which became warm, genial and sincere immediately.
“Many days each week they came, spent hours on the Lough and took others with them to assist in the search. We always had a chat and they mingled with all the other volunteers. Noel and Amanda offered their assistance in any other way we needed help and were a great source of encouragement and comfort to us all and especially the McAree and Treanor families.
“Noel and Amanda attended the funeral in Emyvale and the friendship continued to grow in mutual closeness and affection. They invited members of the McAree and Treanor families and others to visit Crom Castle a few months after the funeral and extended hospitality and friendship to all, which was greatly appreciated. We all regarded Noel and Amanda as close friends and their caring manner and compassionate approach were very helpful to those grieving the death of Kieran McAree.”
The letter continued:
“We had arranged that Bob and Noel would come to Monaghan and join us for lunch at 1pm on Friday February 26th but we were shocked and devastated, when Bob phoned us with the sad news that same morning. Words cannot express the sorrow and grief experienced by the Monaghan Community, when the news of his death spread around the county, as those involved in the search had got to know and value the friendship with Noel. Many from Monaghan called to the house to offer condolences and many again, including the parents of the late Kieran McAree, attended the Funeral Service on the Tuesday to pay their respects. He will never be forgotten by all for his kindness, thoughtfulness and caring. He was a wonderful gentleman and we are honoured to have made his acquaintance and to have enjoyed his company, though it was for too short a time.
To Violet, Amanda, Ashley, Jamie, Luke and Noel’s sisters and family members, we offer our sincere condolences and assure them they are forever in our thoughts and prayers.”
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