‘Overwhelming relief’ at discovery of David Gavin’s body

SEARCH TEAM Pictured are the Calgary Canine Search Corps helping with the search for David Gavin in Kinbasket Lake, British Colombia, Canada last summer. It was Karen Somerville and Brian Harmes of the Calgary Canine Search Corps, who, with their specially trained cadavar dogs, Juno and Coda, were successful in locating David’s body on Saturday last. Below is a picture of Kinbasket Lake in April 2018, showing the difference in water levels. Pic courtesy of Mick Gavin

Edwin McGreal

The family of Breaffy footballer David Gavin have expressed their ‘overwhelming relief’ that his body was found in Canada at the weekend.
David (26) was missing since June 30 last. He got into difficulty after jumping from a bridge at Kinbasket Lake in British Columbia.
In a statement last night issued from Canada by David’s parents Mick and Angela, sister Aoife and partner Ciara O’Malley on behalf of all of the Gavin and O’Malley families, they reflected on the relief of his discovery ten months after he went missing.
Extensive searches last year were unsuccessful but a lowering of the water levels at Kinbasket Lake facilitated a renewed search in the last week.
On Saturday afternoon David’s remains were recovered by a cadavar dog.
“Our feelings at this point in time are of overwhelming relief that we have found David and can now bring him home with us. The alternative was unimaginable,” the families said.
“We have struggled for several months with the fact that we had to go home without David last year, when conditions were unsuitable to continue the search but that is behind us now and we can, hopefully, move forward.
“We feel most fortunate to have found David in what has been described here as a most beautiful but unforgiving landscape.”
Particular thanks were issued to Karen Somerville and Brian Harmes of Calgary Canine Search Corps, who, with their specially trained cadavar dogs, Juno and Coda, were successful in locating David’s body.
They also thanked the Sheephaven (Donegal) and GrΡinne Uaile (Ballina) Sub Aqua clubs and other Mayo divers who were preparing to travel to Canada to assist with the search. The Sheephaven club were due to send six divers and a dive leader yesterday (Monday).
One of their team, David McGloin, had went out with the Gavin and O’Malley families last Tuesday to examine the water and diving conditions.
This coming Friday a team of eleven Mayo divers were due to travel out to assist the search.
The diving teams were co-ordinated by former Belmullet-based Garda Chief Superintendent Tony Healy of the Garda Sub Aqua Club, Cllr Michael Loftus, of the GrΡinne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, Pat Cowman of the Belmullet Sub-Aqua Club and John Joe Rowland of the Sheephaven Sub Aqua Club in Donegal, a native of Bofeenaun. Michael Loftus told The Mayo News that the divers were to head out earlier than planned as the window of opportunity was narrowing.
David’s body was found some 30 metres downstream of the bridge he jumped into. Whereas last year the area in question would have been completely submerged in approximately 60 feet of water, David’s remains were found at the riverbank in what is, at this time of year, a much narrower and shallower stretch of water.
However, melting glaciers in the area were set to see the water levels rise in the coming weeks.
The Gavins and O’Malleys expressed their thanks to all who helped them since the tragedy last June.
“We are indebted to all those who have supported us through this most difficult time in our lives and are eternally grateful for the generosity and goodwill shown to us by so many people, many of whom we don’t even know by name.
“We would like David’s legacy to be that he was loved by so many people and that he touched so many lives in his brief time with us. He enjoyed life to the full and would want everyone to do the same.”
Gerry Bourke, Chairman of Breaffy GAA Club, whom David starred with for many years before leaving for Canada with Ciara in February 2017, said there was ‘a huge sense of relief’ in the area.
“It is a funny thing to be so happy with such news but we did not know if we would see this day. It was announced at 10am Mass in Breaffy on Sunday morning and there was an audible gasp from people. There was huge joy and relief,” he told The Mayo News.
The families say they are awaiting the release of David’s remains from the Canadian authorities and are hoping to travel home with him by this weekend or early next week.