Death of man off Cork coast 50 years ago ruled accidental

Fifty years after he was washed out to sea by a wave on the west Cork coast the family of journalist David McCall finally received official confirmation that he died at Pollack Rock near Rosscarbery in 1974.

The family of Mr McCall had obtained permission required from the Minster for Justice for an inquest to be held even though a body was never recovered.

The inquest into the death of Mr McCall was held at Clonakilty Court by west Cork coroner Frank O’Connell.

Mr McCall, who was a journalist with the Southern Star newspaper, had travelled to Owenahincha beach near Rosscarbery to spend the St Patrick’s weekend in 1974 with three friends John Coughlan, Michael Ryan and Garry Galvin at Mr Coughlan’s family holiday home.

Mr McCall who was lodging at an address at Uam Var Drive, Bishopstown, Cork at the time and was 21-years-old.

Mr Coughlan and Mr Ryan both travelled in person to attend the inquest and Mr Galvin, who now lives in Oxfordshire in England, sent a letter to the inquest.

Also in attendance were Mr McCall’s brother Brian and sister Mary.

The inquest heard that on the morning of 18 March 1974 the four friends decided to take a walk along the rocky shore between Owenahincha and Rosscarbery.

Mr McCall and Mr Ryan walked out to Pollack Rock, a rocky headland while Mr Coughlan and Mr Galvin took the nearby cliff path about 46 metres.

In his statement read to the inquest Mr Ryan said that the sea was “strong enough” but not stormy and there was a stiff breeze, but nothing unusual for the coast in that area.

He said that there was a gully behind them with a five or six metre drop to the rocks and water below.

Mr Ryan added: “Dave and myself saw a big wave or a freak wave coming in. We could see it from a distance and I realised it was bigger than the other waves, a rogue wave.

“I remember seeing Dave with his arms in the air, as the wave broke on the rock. The wash and spray soaked us. Next thing Dave was gone backwards into the gully.

“All I saw was Dave in the Gully. He was being turned and twisted with the strength of the wash in the sea,” Mr Ryan said.

Watching from the shore about 46m away, Mr Coughlan said he saw the wave hit his two friends and Mr McCall raising his arms, but when the spray had cleared only Mr Ryan was left standing on the rock.

Mr Coughlan, who had completed a Red Cross lifesaving course, immediately jumped into the sea to try to save his friend but soon lost sight of him in the tide and eventually had to return to shore.

Mr Ryan said that he saw Mr McCall’s body face down in the water before he disappeared.

Despite an extensive search by local volunteers, RNLI and Coast Guard units Mr McCall’s body was never recovered and no death certificate was ever issued.

The coroner, Mr O’Connell, said the evidence was compelling that Mr McCall had died at Pollack Rock on 18 March 1974.

He returned a verdict of accidental death due to drowning as a result of Mr McCall being swept into the sea.

He extended his sympathies to the McCall family and said that he hoped that the inquest at least could give them some closure after so many years.