Laura publican Kevin Darmody’s remains found in two crocs

Wildlife officers have found remains of a missing Far North publican inside the stomach of both crocodiles shot dead, as they elaborate on how they think the attack unfolded.

Wildlife officers have found remains of a missing Far North publican inside the stomach of two crocodiles shot dead on Monday night.

Rangers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) believe the two crocodiles, 4.1m and 2.8m, were involved in an attack on 65-year-old Laura man Kevin Darmody while he was fishing on Saturday.

A DES spokesman said human remains were found in both the male 4.1m croc and the female 2.8m croc.

“The larger croc was responsible for the attack, as a matter of size,” he said.

Mike Joyce, DES manager of wildlife operations, said DES rangers had suspected the male crocodile had shared Mr Darmody’s remains with the smaller female crocodile, an act that was “very unusual”.

“Generally, they worry about their own food,” Mr Joyce said.

“This is the second time we’ve seen this happen in a (fatal) attack on a human.

“The other time was Hinchinbrook Island.

“We’re not sure if this is an outlier or if we’re now discovering new behaviour.”

Inspector Mark Henderson of Cairns Police said the completed search had unfortunately revealed Mr Darmody’s remains.

“It’s a very tragic end to this search. Hopefully it will give some closure to the family, but a terrible outcome,” Insp Henderson said.

A formal identification process is now under way.

Both crocodiles were located upstream along the North Kennedy River where Mr Darmody was last seen.

Rangers say a fishing group had to “shoo away” a smaller crocodile near where Mr Darmody vanished a short time before the attack occurred on Saturday.

Mike Joyce, DES manager of wildlife operations, speaks with Inspector Mark Henderson of Cairns Police about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Kevin Darmody. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

It is understood Mr Darmody was close to the water when the attack occurred.

“Our investigations to date have worked out there was a couple of groups fishing and they were driving in vehicles towing boats,” Insp Henderson said.

“One group got ahead of the other group and decided to stop and wait a while. While they were waiting, our indications are the first group stopped and started flicking some lures around and had a fish by the bank.

“They did shoo away the smaller crocodile when they arrived so they could fish, and it appears a short time after that we suspect an attack has occurred,” he said.

Crocodile attack victim Kevin Darmody. Picture: Supplied

Mr Joyce said 100 per cent of crocodile attack fatalities had involved 4m crocodiles or longer.

The two crocodiles were shot within 10 seconds on Monday night.

“Last night (Monday) we successfully identified two target animals and euthanased those animals,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce urged caution around Far North waterways.

“Any water body in crocodile country could contain a crocodile. Being croc wise is a choice and people choose to take risks. Unfortunately the worst possible outcome can occur,” he said.

“If you’re in Lakefield, which has been specifically declared for crocodile conservation, you should expect a crocodile in that water.

“Keep back from the bank when you go fishing. A lure is not worth your life.”

Earlier this week Cooktown resident Bart Harrison said his shocked mate was nearby when Mr Darmody, known as ‘Stumpy’, disappeared.

“He was only 10 minutes down the road and a lad came up on the road shouting ‘he’s gone, he’s gone’ and my mate ran down the bank, and said the water was all stirred up and dirty, you could see something bad happened,” Mr Harrison said.

“He was standing right there fishing a few minutes earlier, then he was gone, his thongs were left on the bank.”

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner when both necropsies are completed.

Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, problem crocodiles are removed from the wild.

The suspected attack on Mr Darmody has prompted fierce debate over whether there needs to be a cull of crocodiles in Far North Queensland.

Mr Joyce would not be drawn on whether culling crocodiles would make any difference to the likelihood of crocodile attacks.

“That’s a policy decision,” Mr Joyce said.

Search and rescue operations in Lakefield have ended.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Originally published as Laura publican Kevin Darmody’s remains found in two crocs