The remains of a young Co Tyrone man missing for more than three weeks have been found.
Searches had been ongoing since Jordan Gallagher (21) was last seen near his home in Ballycolman, Strabane on March 2.
On Monday, the voluntary group Community Search and Rescue said the young man’s remains had been discovered by a family friend.
In a post on its Facebook page, it said there had been a “sad conclusion” to the search.
“CRS volunteers were deployed on a daily basis since Saturday, 2nd March, in the search for a young person believed to have entered the river in Strabane,” the post said.
“Searches were conducted alongside our SAR colleagues from Foyle Search and Rescue and Search & Rescue Dog Association - SARDA Ireland North, with friends and members of the community coming together to support family members in bringing their loved one home.
“Early this evening (Monday), a family friend located a body believed to be that of the missing person.
“Having been contacted by family, our volunteers then recovered the deceased to FSAR base at Prehen.
“The management and volunteers of the the Community Rescue Service extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased.”
Search groups from across the island of Ireland helped in the search operation, with Mr Gallagher’s GAA club, Strabane Sigersons, also involved in search efforts earlier this month.
In a post on social media on Tuesday, the GAA club said the former player “loved to wear the sky blue and navy”.
“He never once pulled on the jersey and let it down, Jordan always gave 100%,” it said.
“That’s the type of character he was, always had a smile and cracking a joke that would make everyone laugh.”
Strabane Sigersons said he was part of the U14 team that won the Grade 1 Championship for the first time in the clubs’ history in 2016 and he was a member of the U13 team that secured the Grade 2 League in the previous year.
💙 𝐑𝐈𝐏 𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐑 💙 Everyone at Strabane Sigersons would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends...
Posted by Strabane Sigersons GAA on Tuesday 26 March 2024
The club said Jordan’s disappearance and the discovery of his body had “stunned the entire community and club”.
“We as a club and Strabane as a town are devastated at the loss of another young person, we would encourage all of Jordan’s friends, family and the entire community of young people in Strabane to talk to someone if they need it, this is a total tragedy that has left a family and community heartbroken,” it added.
“Jordan, from everyone at Strabane Sigersons we would like to thank you for all you done when pulling on the blue jersey, you gave us many great memories that we will cherish forever, your son will grow up to hear the stories of you when you graced the Gaelic fields of Strabane and around Tyrone.”
A youth engagement project, Strabane AYE, also paid tribute to Jordan describing him as a “very pleasant young man and true gentleman”.
