The independent volunteers who were responsible for recovering the body of Andrew Robinson have been recognised for their dedication and commitment by both Andrew’s family and the Lord Mayor of ABC Council in a special civic reception.
Father-of-two, Andrew tragically went missing from his Portadown home in November 2025. His disappearance sparked a massive multi-agency search operation that spanned a total of 42 agonising days.
Those looking on from the outside in, one may quite naturally assume that the support arrived on scene at the river banks where the family held an almost constant vigil throughout the days and nights.
However, speaking today, Andrew’s sister-in-law, Alison Brownlee explained that a great deal of that support was “hard fought for” by the family.
And while that fight was both heart-breaking and frustrating for the family, it made the efforts of those who did readily turn up to support so much more meaningful.
Speaking to Armagh I, Alison’s list of ‘thank yous’ was near endless. But two of those incredible individuals have now been given official recognition of their determination to bring Andrew home.
On December 27, independent search and rescue volunteers, Mark Hughes (Clones) and Philip Hand (Newry) made the discovery that everyone had both simultaneously been dreading and hoping for.
Andrew’s body had been found. It brought indescribable heartache for the family, but it also brought closure and the ability to give Andrew the burial he deserved.
Said Alison of their efforts: “Philip is a diver and Mark has a boat with sonar equipment and cameras and they work together to help support families in similar situations.
“Stephen Bridges from East Coast Divers was a brilliant help as well. We met as strangers but we’re family now. They are never off the phone and have kept in touch with us all.”
From the first day of Andrew’s disappearance, Alison said the family fought constantly to keep a focus on his whereabouts and the police investigation.
“We had everything on the Saturday and Sunday once Andrew went into the river,” she said. “But on the Monday morning when we went down there was not one person, not one police officer was standing at the river.
“We had to push then and go to Jonny Buckley and we fought and fought that morning and then had the Inspector straight down to us but we were livid and totally heartbroken in that moment.”
Alison and the family are eternally grateful to both Jonathan Buckley and Carla Lockhart for their consistency and availability, their kind phone calls and campaigning.
However, the Robinson family are not convinced that Andrew’s disappearance in the early stages was taken seriously by the PSNI.
It’s a reflection that has caused them to pause, take stock and think forward. As they navigate the continuously difficult days ahead they feel compelled to ensure Andrew’s death acts as a catalyst for positive change.
“Mental health needs a really, really big look at and the police need to take it more serious,” continued Alison. “We are pushing forward with this to bring change and we are taking it to top dogs and going around the table. There’s too many mistakes made.
“I do not want to see another family standing at a riverside for six weeks when things maybe could be different if it’s taken more seriously.
“We are still fighting through bits and pieces and things that went wrong. It all comes down to community and not politics. Some organisations wouldn’t work alongside some of the volunteers that came down to help us and that was disheartening too.
“We want to make a change, we want the River Bann to be a safer place, buoyancy aids, throw ropes, kids’ training in water. There is so much that river needs. It needs dragged to get all the rubbish out of that river because if another person goes in there it would save a lot of time.
“We want to set up something in Andrew’s memory. He has two boys and it’s been a rough rollercoaster because his youngest son loves fishing, he really loves fishing and we don’t want to dishearten that and we want to keep that going.
“We want to make a little bit of a difference and carry on Andrew’s legacy.”
And, on the evening of Tuesday March 10, the family gathered at the Palace Stables to honour all those who helped bring Andrew home.
Alison’s words of thanks read: “Today I stand here with a heart that is both broken and grateful.
“For six long weeks we searched the waters of the River Bann for Andrew — my brother-in-law, a husband, a father, a son, and a friend. Six weeks of early mornings, long days, cold nights, and holding on to hope. But we did not walk that road alone.
“To the incredible men and volunteers who gave up your time, your comfort, and time with your own families to help us — thank you will never be enough. You stepped forward without hesitation and stood beside us in our darkest hours. You treated Andrew not as a case, but as a person who mattered.”
To Mark and Philip, she added: “You are the men who found Andrew and brought him home to us. That is something our family will carry with us forever. Because of you, we were able to lay him to rest and begin to find some peace.”
To those from County Meath and the Boyne Fishermen who travelled up from the south to help, Alison said, “your kindness crossed counties and borders”.
A very special thank you was extended to Carole Abernethy [of Jonathan Buckley’s office] and Cllr Lavelle McIlwrath who stood by the family “every single day” of their ordeal.
Continued Alison: “Over these six weeks we saw the very best of people. Strangers became friends. Volunteers became family. And you reminded us that Andrew mattered.
“But we would not be honest if we didn’t say that these six weeks were also incredibly difficult in ways they should never have been.
“There were mistakes made during the search. Communication at times broke down. Plans were not always clear, and politics should never come before a grieving family simply trying to bring their loved one home.
“There needs to be change in how searches like this are handled. There needs to be proper planning, better communication, and everyone working together with the family at the centre of it all. No family should ever have to fight to bring their loved one home.
“Our family will be asking questions and looking for answers — not out of anger, but because we want to see change. If anything good can come from our pain, it is that other families in the future might be treated with the care, respect, and support they deserve.
“These past weeks have shown us heartbreak, but they have also shown us humanity at its best.
“Andrew was loved. Andrew mattered. And because of the people standing here and those who helped along the way, he was brought home with dignity. And for that, our family will be forever grateful. Thank you.”
