A well-known Donegal diver who travelled to Canada to search for a missing GAA player said he is relieved the man’s body has been found.
David Gavin, from Breaffy, near Castlebar, Co Mayo went missing when swimming in British Columbia last July.
He had been diving in a river in the Beaver reek area, around 260 km west of Calgary, when he failed to surface.
Despite extensive efforts to locate him in the weeks that followed, no trace of the 26-year-old was found.
Last week, Rathmullan diver David McGloin travelled to Calgary to assess the area with a view to bringing a team from the Sheephaven Sub Aqua Unit to search for the missing man.
David contacted the crew back in Donegal and they were due to fly out tomorrow to dive in the area.
However, while out in Calgary, the missing man’s remains were found.
David told Donegal Daily “I’m just relieved for the family that they have found David and they can bring home his remains.
“The sympathy of all at the Sheephaven Sub Aqua team go out to the McGlynn family at this time.”
A recovery effort resumed in recent days, following a significant reduction in water levels.
That enabled dive teams to locate his remains at Kinbasket Lake last evening.
Members of his family were present at the lake at the time.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware has been providing consular assistance to the family
Mr Gavin moved to Canada shortly before the incident and was involved with the GAA community in Vancouver.
He was well-known at home for his involvement with the Breaffy club and Mayo inter-county panels.
An extensive fundraising effort in Co Mayo saw over €100,000 raised in 36 hours to assist in the search effort.
