Questions have been raised about the decision to allow the swimming leg of the Ironman event in Youghal to go ahead following last night’s statement from Triathlon Ireland.
Last night, the national governing body for triathlons said it had carried out a water safety assessment prior to the race and had warned organisers that it could not sanction the race due to “adverse conditions on the day”.
45-year-old Meath man Brendan Wall and 64-year-old Canadian Ivan Chittenden both died after getting into difficulty during the swim.
The cause of their deaths remains unknown and Gardaí have said post-mortem results and witness statements will form part of a file being prepared for the coroner.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath has expressed his sadness at the deaths of Ivan Chittenden and Brendan Wall who died while taking part in the Ironman event in Youghal yesterday. pic.twitter.com/MUaT7UuaCt
— RedFM News (@RedFMNews) August 21, 2023
Speaking to RedFM News Finance Minister Michael McGrath said many athletes expressed their concerns about conditions on the day:
“It is clear that the conditions were particularly challenging in the water from reading the testimony from many of the other participants and it is just a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to the families,” he said.
“I have no doubt the organisers of the event will conduct a comprehensive investigation into what happened.
“Cork County Council is a lead sponsor of the event and I have no doubt they will want a full account of what happened as well.
“It may well be the case that Water Safety Ireland will also be asking questions and wish to fully understand that facts and the circumstances.”
Youghal, Co Cork, Ireland. Image: David Creedon / Alamy Stock PhotoIn an earlier statement yesterday, event organiser Ironman Ireland said athlete safety is its “utmost priority” in all events.
It said weather conditions were monitored carefully and the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon was rescheduled to take place on Sunday to “provide a safer race for athletes”.
"Officials and the on-swim safety team carried out all standard safety protocol checks that are completed at every race and determined water conditions were safe for the swim to take place,” it said.
It noted that the swim was shortened, “as a further precaution”.
RedFM News has contacted Ironman Ireland for a further statement alongside the County Council.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Triathlon Ireland told RedFM News that it is not in a position to make any further comment.
The funeral of 45-year-old Brendan Wall, who recently got engaged to his fiancée Tina earlier this year, will take place in his native Slane in Co Meath on Thursday.
The body of 64-year-old Ivan Chittenden from Canada was returned to his family yesterday.
