4 August 2012 Last updated at 04:29 ET

Joby Murphy remembered with sonar rescue gift

Joby Murphy had been missing for about four weeks before his body was recovered

The family and friends of a young man whose body was found in the River Lagan have marked his memory with a sonar gift to help others.

Joby Murphy was just 20 when he went missing after a Snow Patrol gig in Belfast on 25 January 2012.

It is thought he walked across the bridge at the Lagan Weir later that night and fell in.

After extensive searches, his body was found and returned to his family four weeks after he had disappeared.

Rescue workers used special sonar equipment borrowed from Mallow in County Cork in the Republic of Ireland to locate him.

The Murphys set up an appeal in Joby's memory and raised £41,000 to buy sonar equipment for use by the community rescue team in Northern Ireland.

On Friday, the sonar equipment was handed over at a special ceremony in Belfast.

Joe Murphy, Joby's father, said: "I'm just delighted we were able to raise the money for the sonar. All his friends and the family, it is a great achievement.

"If anything like this happens again, God forbid, the sonar will be there the same day.

"We feel a bit sentimental today. We were having these events week after week, I feel we are able to do something for the community."

The sonar gift was handed over in a special ceremony

Family and friends organised auction nights, cycle rides and all sorts of events in a bid to raise money.

"Everybody got on board. We got the sonar equipment and a snake camera which was over £4,000. The rest of the money will go towards the running of the sonar," Mr Murphy said.

Sean McCarry, regional commander of the Community Rescue Service, said: "The sonar equipment means we will able to locate missing persons much more quickly and efficiently. It will relieve pressure on families and on other agencies.

"It is such a fantastic achievement to raise this money in the space of a number of months. We have tried for many years and we have never been able to do this."

A message on the Joby Murphy Trust Fund website reads: "The importance of this equipment is evident in the frequent loss of life in waterways and the length of time it can take for a family to get their loved ones back.

"The sonar will thankfully be available to help bring closure to other families who find themselves in such a tragic situation in future."

Snow Patrol played their part by donating £10,000 to the fund.

At the time, Joby's father, Joe said the band felt very touched by the story which was why they had decided to donate.