Search for David Gavin intensifies

SEARCH David Gavin has been missing since June 30

Edwin McGreal

The search for Breaffy footballer David Gavin is set to intensify in the coming days.
David (26) drowned after an accident at Kinbasket Lake in British Colombia, Canada on Friday, June 30 last but despite extensive search efforts, his body has not been found.
The search was scaled back at the end of July but efforts to find Mr Gavin are to pick-up considerably today (Friday).
Mr Gavin’s parents Michael and Angela and his girlfriend Ciara O’Malley returned to Kinbasket Lake yesterday (Thursday) and are set to be joined by three search teams.
A search team from Calgary in nearby Alberta province are to arrive at the lake today with what is described as ‘top of the range equipment’.
They have a boat with sonar equipment to scan beneath the surface and are also bringing five search dogs who will search the lake and the shore.
Also, husband and wife Gene and Sandy Ralston, the experienced search team from Idaho, USA who have played a substantial role in the search to date, returned to Kinbasket Lake last night (Thursday) and will be taking part in the search for ‘at least a week’.
The Ralstons also have sonar equipment and a robot which goes into the water to assist with the search.
They left Kinbasket Lake in late July but had indicated a willingness to return. They are a not-for-profit duo who assist in underwater searches.
“We have maintained daily contact with Gene and Sandy and they are determined they will help us solve the puzzle and find where David is. They are magnificent people and now refer to us as their extended family,” said David’s girlfriend Ciara.
“It is their experience that could be our secret weapon in finding David. They are the most experienced search team in America. We are very confident in their experience and pray they will help us find David and bring him home,” added Ciara.
Additionally, another search dog who participated in the search in July arrived last night (Thursday).
“Luce is a very experienced dog and last time played a big part in solving some clues in the search for David. Myself and the family are very eager to have him back and Robin, his handler, who is amazing at her job,” Ciara explained. 
“Over the next week we have a lot of resources out on the water. We will remain positive and pray we get the results we are looking for and bring David home,” added Ciara.
She also explained that this intensified search would not be possible were it not for the extraordinary goodwill shown in the fundraising campaign to fund the search. Hundreds of thousands of Euro have been raised.
“We just wanted to keep all the generous people who donated money updated as to where this search is going. We could not have got these resources without the kindness and generosity of the people who supported us,” added Ciara.
Ciara and David moved to Canada last February and were living in Vancouver. David, from Moneen, Castlebar, was travelling with football teammates to a GAA tournament in Calgary when they stopped at Kinbasket Lake to go for a swim. David got into difficulty after jumping into the water from an overhead bridge.
Despite frantic efforts by his friends at the time, his body was not recovered.
A memorial Mass for David took place in Castlebar on Wednesday, August 2 last and a tree was planted at Lough Lannagh to his memory.
David was a former Mayo Minor and Under 21 footballer and one of the stars of the Breaffy teams which reached the Mayo Senior County Finals in 2013 and 2015.