Sad news from Donegal as body is recovered from sea

A body recovered from the sea off the coast of Donegal this morning is believed to be that of missing Westmeath soldier, Gavin Carey, known  by the nickname “Care Bear”.

The body was recovered from the water at Aughrus Point, around 400 metres from where Mr Carey went missing while swimming with a group of colleagues  on Tuesday.

Dara O’Malley-Daly, Station Officer with the Coast Guard at Malin Head,  confirmed to The Westmeath Independent that a body had  been recovered, and  removed from the shore to Sligo General Hospital.

He said Mr Carey’s family was at the scene.  “It is a very sad day,”  he commented, adding, however, that it was a relief that Mr Carey’s body has now been found.

“We had a number of divers in the water this morning, from Donegal Sub Aqua Unit, the Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club, and we had naval and army divers as well,” said Mr O’Malley-Daly.

He went on to express the sympathy of the Malin Head Coast Guard to Mr Carey’s family, friends, and army colleagues.

The 29 year old Cpl Carey was a member of the 2 Artillery Regiment and is stationed in Athlone.