Special Report: Complete national policy needed for cold cases
Garda appeal as remains found in shallow grave still unidentified - 2002
Dave Rawson -- body dug up from a back garden of a squat in Galway in 2002 -- gardaí eventually believed it was a local squatter named Dave, who had once given his name as Dave Rawson from England, but no name exists -- he remains unidentified.
Gardaí at Salthill Garda Station are still hoping for information in relation to the discovery of human remains at 158 Upper Salthill on April 17, 2002.
According to gardaí, the owner of the property was carrying out excavation work in the back garden and discovered human remains wrapped up in a sleeping bag buried in a shallow grave. There were also a number of items of clothing including, boots, as well as jewellery and hair ties in the sleeping bag.
A full examination of the scene was carried out and a post mortem on the remains. An investigation was launched with gardaí establishing that the property was used as a squat over the years by a number of people.
Their enquiries led them to a man known as “Dave”, who busked around Galway, particularly on Shop St, an area known locally as “the four corners”. He played guitar and tin whistle. He always had his pet collie dog with him.
Gardaí believe Dave was originally from the UK and the last known sighting of him was in 1999. They believe he was buried at 158 Upper Salthill almost two years before his remains were discovered.
They also believe he may have been known as “Dave Rawson” or “Dave Tang”, but are unsure if that was his real name.
Gardaí appeared on the British version of Crimewatch, where more than 5m people tuned in.
New information was received that gardaí hoped may develop the investigation.
The mystery is no closer to a conclusion.
It has been suggested that since ‘Dave The Busker’ had no injuries on his body, he may have died of natural causes and buried by a person or persons unknown as an act of compassion, to give him a resting place in death.
According to the Irish Unresolved Mysteries blog, Dave The Busker may have been an English native who arrived in Ireland around August in 1998.
“He had arrived in Ireland in August 1998 and spent time in Limerick, Kerry, and Clare before settling in Galway.
He lived as a New Age Traveller with a number of other squatters. He would play the tin whistle or guitar and his loyal collie dog was always with him. He has not been seen since 1999.
“It is believed that Dave was possibly from the Tunbridge Wells area of Kent in England and may have trained as a classical musician in London. He may also have a sister in Exeter but gardaí have been unable to trace her and he also told friends that he had been married at one point.
“Dave once purchased a dog licence for his collie and gave the name ‘Dave Rawson’ on this.
"However gardaí are unsure if this is his real name. He also sometimes went by the nickname ‘Tang’. In addition to the fact that Dave has not been seen since 1999, his guitar, tin whistle and collie have also never been found. He also carried a small notebook with him which was full of addresses and numbers which has also not been recovered.”
Garda appeal as remains found in shallow grave still unidentified - 2002
Dave Rawson -- body dug up from a back garden of a squat in Galway in 2002 -- gardaí eventually believed it was a local squatter named Dave, who had once given his name as Dave Rawson from England, but no name exists -- he remains unidentified.
Gardaí at Salthill Garda Station are still hoping for information in relation to the discovery of human remains at 158 Upper Salthill on April 17, 2002.
According to gardaí, the owner of the property was carrying out excavation work in the back garden and discovered human remains wrapped up in a sleeping bag buried in a shallow grave. There were also a number of items of clothing including, boots, as well as jewellery and hair ties in the sleeping bag.
A full examination of the scene was carried out and a post mortem on the remains. An investigation was launched with gardaí establishing that the property was used as a squat over the years by a number of people.
Their enquiries led them to a man known as “Dave”, who busked around Galway, particularly on Shop St, an area known locally as “the four corners”. He played guitar and tin whistle. He always had his pet collie dog with him.
Gardaí believe Dave was originally from the UK and the last known sighting of him was in 1999. They believe he was buried at 158 Upper Salthill almost two years before his remains were discovered.
They also believe he may have been known as “Dave Rawson” or “Dave Tang”, but are unsure if that was his real name.
Gardaí appeared on the British version of Crimewatch, where more than 5m people tuned in.
New information was received that gardaí hoped may develop the investigation.
The mystery is no closer to a conclusion.
It has been suggested that since ‘Dave The Busker’ had no injuries on his body, he may have died of natural causes and buried by a person or persons unknown as an act of compassion, to give him a resting place in death.
According to the Irish Unresolved Mysteries blog, Dave The Busker may have been an English native who arrived in Ireland around August in 1998.
“He had arrived in Ireland in August 1998 and spent time in Limerick, Kerry, and Clare before settling in Galway.
He lived as a New Age Traveller with a number of other squatters. He would play the tin whistle or guitar and his loyal collie dog was always with him. He has not been seen since 1999.
“It is believed that Dave was possibly from the Tunbridge Wells area of Kent in England and may have trained as a classical musician in London. He may also have a sister in Exeter but gardaí have been unable to trace her and he also told friends that he had been married at one point.
“Dave once purchased a dog licence for his collie and gave the name ‘Dave Rawson’ on this.
"However gardaí are unsure if this is his real name. He also sometimes went by the nickname ‘Tang’. In addition to the fact that Dave has not been seen since 1999, his guitar, tin whistle and collie have also never been found. He also carried a small notebook with him which was full of addresses and numbers which has also not been recovered.”
- Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720.
