Family get inquest verdict for Cork journalist 50 years after his death

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 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.

John Coughlan and Michael Ryan both traveled 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 March 18, 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 50 yards away.

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 15-20 foot drop to the rocks and water below. Mr Ryan said: “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 then 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.” 

Watching from the shore about 50 yards 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 Coastguard units Mr McCall’s body was never recovered and no death certificate was ever issued. 

Mr O’Connell said the evidence was compelling that David McCall had died at Pollack Rock on March 18 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 sympathy to the McCall family and said that he hoped that the inquest at least could give them some closure after so many years.