Missing teenager died of drowning
A teenager found in the sea off the Co Donegal coast after having been missing for 10 days died of drowning, gardai said today.
Following a post mortem examination they said they did not suspect a crime was involved in the death of 15-year-old Brendan Rushe.
They said no marks had been found on the body, but how a night out at a disco with friends across the border from their homes in Castlederg, Co Tyrone, ended in death, remains a mystery.
Brendan’s mother Colette said today she could not have got through the ordeal without the help of the people of Donegal and Castlederg, whom she and her husband John joined every day during the search.
Mrs Rushe said: ‘‘All I would like to say at this time is myself, John and the entire family circle would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who supported us over the last week in the search for Brendan.
‘‘Without the support of the people I don’t think we could have lived through the past days I don’t think there are any words than can express the emotions that the family have gone through.’’
Gardai found Brendan’s body yesterday at low tide on a sand bank 300 metres off the quay in Donegal town where the teenager was last seen alive.
Brendan left friends outside the nightclub in Donegal saying he was getting a later bus home than them across the border.
He was twice spoken to by gardai, whom he told he was waiting for the bus.
When he failed to arrive home from the night out he had only been allowed to go on as it was his school half-term holiday, a major search was mounted.
Mrs Rushe said early on she did not believe he would be found alive.
The family parish priest said the family felt relief his body had finally been found.
Father Jim McGonigle said: ‘‘Under the circumstances they are coping tremendously well, there is every chance of release now Brendan’s body is coming home.
‘‘At the same time of course what has happened is a very traumatising for them.’’
Brendan was last seen by garda officers at about 4.30am on Monday morning last week outside the Abbey Hotel, where he had been at the disco with friends.
Shortly afterwards a boy fitting his description tried to get into a bed-and-breakfast but left before the landlady opened the door.
The youngster then jogged off along Donegal Quay.
