Davy's ashes scattered on India beach

Ollie McSheffery (22) made the 10,000 mile round trip to Palolem Beach in South Goa to fulfil father David’s dying wish.

It was a heartbreaking and poignant pilgrimmage to one of the father of two’s favourite places on earth, where he spent many happy times with friends such as Ian and Robbie at the Rococo Pelton beach huts.

Every year thousands of holidaymakers enjoy exquisite sea views and fresh fish at the beach’s popular restaurants - and David just loved the relaxed lifestyle and local people.

David’s sister Amanda said: “Oliver scattered David’s ashes on the beach in Goa on Monday - it was my brother’s dying wish.

“A few of David’s friends from London went over as well.

“It was an extremely hard thing for Oliver to do. He was over there for ten days.”

David (47) was killed by a lorry as he walked home after spending a night with friends in El Perello, Tarragona, north east Spain, last January.

At the time dozens of tributes were paid to him on Facebook by his many friends both here and across the UK.

Big Davy was a colourful character, a kind man who enjoyed life and had a wonderful heart.

Amanda said the family was still coming to terms with his loss.

“David had been to Goa lots of times, he just loved it there.

“When he worked for Stockton Drilling in London he would often spend six months in India, it was a place close to his heart. The pictures of the beach on Facebook are just beautiful.

“Even now, more than a year on we still can’t believe what happened David. We are still in shock and it’s so hard to accept he is not coming back. He’s gone.”

Before his tragic death ‘Big Davy,’ as he was known locally had come home for Christmas to spend time with him mum Patsy, who is from Cranagh Road and his sisters Amanda and Angela and their families.

He was a dad to Freya and Oliver, a grandfather to little Max and an uncle to Christopher, Emma, Amy and Ben.

Amanda said that the family was deeply saddened about the recent and sudden death of Coleraine man Mickey Mulholland, a friend of David’s.

“He carried David’s coffin at his funeral, we were so sorry to hear of his death. He was a lovely fella.”