The young man was swimming with four colleagues, when they got into difficulties.
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Corporal Carey’s next of kin have been informed and his remains are being transported to Sligo University Hospital where they will be formally identified.
The body of the 28-year-old father of a three-year-old girl was recovered off Aughris Head, known locally as Roguey Point in Bundoran.
Cpl Carey was in Finner Camp near Ballyshannon attending a first responders course as part of his training for deployment to a South Lebanon peacekeeping mission in November.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “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 hard time for them. We would also like to express our gratitude for all the people who helped in the search”.
Speaking at an Irish United Nations Veterans Association ceremony in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Mr 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”.
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It is understood the soldier was one of a group of five swimmers who were in the sea at Tullan Strand, near Bundoran, on Tuesday evening. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam”.
