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Body of missing Co Mayo GAA player found in Canada almost a year after going missing while swimming

The body of Co Mayo GAA player, David Gavin, has been recovered in Canada almost a year after he went missing while swimming
The body of Co Mayo GAA player, David Gavin, has been recovered in Canada almost a year after he went missing while swimming

THE body of a young Co Mayo GAA player has been recovered in Canada almost a year after he went missing while swimming.

David Gavin (26), who was from Castlebar, was found by diver search dogs on Saturday in British Colombia.

The 26-year-old, who was a member of Breaffy GAA Club, had last been seen diving into the water near Kinbasket Lake, a reservoir on the Columbia river, around 260km west of Calgary, on June 30 last year.

Mr Gavin had worked in the financial sector in Dublin before moving to Vancouver.

Following his disappearance, more than €100,000 was raised on a funding page to help pay for searches for him.

It is understood Mr Gavin’s parents and girlfriend had travelled to British Columbia last week for a resumed search which had been due to involve specially trained divers from Ireland next week.

Following the news that Mr Gavin had been found, Breaffy GAA club said on Facebook: "It is (with) great relief and a lot of sadness that David Gavin’s remains have been recovered from Kinbasket Lake.

"Water levels had reduced greatly in recent weeks to allow a search to be resumed. David’s family wish to thank everyone for their continued support".