30/08/2016

Tributes Paid To Corporal Gavin Carey Following Recovery Of His Body

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Defence, Paul Kehoe, have expressed their sympathies on the death of Corporal Gavin Carey.

The body of Corporal Carey was recovered from the sea near Tullan Strand, Co Donegal on Saturday, 27 August.

The soldier had gotten into difficulty while swimming in the sea off Bundoran last Tuesday, 23 August.

A major search operation was launched and continued throughout the week, until the body was recovered.

The Taoiseach said: "On behalf of myself, as Taoiseach and Minister for Defence, and on behalf of all the citizens of the State I want to express my sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of Corporal Gavin Carey following his tragic death.

"Gavin died as a serving member of the Defence Forces and I wish also to extend my sympathies to his colleagues from 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment, Custume Barracks, Athlone, at what is a very difficult time for them.

"Gavin served his country with pride and in the unheralded manner he and all his colleagues go about their business. At the time of his death he was in the process of completing a training course prior to his scheduled deployment overseas, to Lebanon. A further reminder of the duties soldiers undertake on all our behalves."

Speaking at an Irish United Nations Veterans Association ceremony in Enniscorthy where Corporal Carey was remembered, Minister Kehoe said: "I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident and I want to offer my deepest condolences to Corporal Carey's family and friends and to his military colleagues in the Defence Forces."

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to all the agencies that assisted with the search.

(MH/LM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 March 2010
Killer Trooper Freed
A former Irish soldier who comes from west Belfast has ended his sentence for killing army comrades. Michael McAleavy served more than 27 years for killing the three Irish Army soldiers while on peacekeeping duties in the Lebanon in 1982.
04 September 2014
Dublin's O2 Arena To Be Renamed
The O2 arena in Dublin is to be renamed '3Arena', it has been reported. The change follows a takeover of O2 Ireland by Three Ireland last year. Elaine Carey, CCO of Three Ireland, is quoted as saying: "Three is delighted to bring more enhanced music experiences to Three and O2 customers and music fans alike.
08 January 2008
Hard Drugs Targeted By National Programme
Cocaine and heroin abuse among young people is being targeted in major new national drug awareness programme. Drugs Strategy Minister Pat Carey said the Government was determined to stamp out the use of deadly drug cocktails that often included the use of alcohol with other substances.
25 January 2011
€900M Spend For Roads As Overcharging Revealed
The Transport Minister Pat Carey has today announced a spend of €866.96 million for the National Roads Programme, just as the National Roads Authority revealed serious overcharging by toll companies.
07 October 2010
Irish Defence Forces 'Undefunded'
There has been an admission that the Irish defence forces are not being funded as fully as they could be.