Minister ‘concerned’ fatal race was not sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland

A Government minister has said he is concerned after the national governing body for triathlons said it did not sanction a swim race in Cork in which two competitors died.

Ivan Chittenden, in his 60s and from Toronto in Canada, and Brendan Wall, who was in his 40s and living in the UK but originally from Co Meath, died competing in an Ironman event on Sunday.

They died in the swimming segment of the triathlon at Claycastle beach in Youghal.

Some competitors have spoken out about the sea conditions.

A man, who asked to be identified only as Keith, told Newstalk Radio: “The waves were 10-15 foot high, we were getting thrown backwards and into the rocks, to be honest I shouldn’t have got into the water, and I’m sorry I did …

“I knew going out I shouldn’t be doing it but I’d been two years training to do full Ironman. It’s a lifetime achievement for me to be able to do it.

“Fortunately I was OK but I helped people that were in distress out there. We got round and got through it, but when we were coming up the slipway the man lay dead on the pier, God bless him … I think they should have just called the race at the time.”

Dr Karen Howells, a sports psychologist and athlete who took part in the event with her 23-year-old daughter told the BBC said the conditions were rough, but they felt confident they could manage it.

However, she said she would not have competed if she had known Triathlon Ireland had said it could not sanction the event.

Cork County Council, which is the event’s host sponsor, said it was seeking a full account of the incidents from Ironman Ireland, and said that the fatalities may be the subject of a coroner’s investigation.

It said the council would determine its position as the event’s host sponsor for next year’s event “once it is in receipt of and has considered same”.

It also said its role as sponsor was limited to providing road closure permits, the use of some facilities and cleaning.

The head of Triathlon Ireland said an investigation is under way.

Chief executive Darren Coombes said the organisation was reeling from the deaths of the men competing in the Ironman Cork event.

He said Triathlon Ireland officials did not sanction the swim race due to adverse conditions.

“For the Ironman Cork event, in line with normal practice, Triathlon Ireland technical officials attended before the start of the race to review the conditions and carry out a water safety assessment.

“Due to adverse conditions on the day, Triathlon Ireland technical officials confirmed to the race organisers that it was not possible to sanction the race.”
The organisers Ironman Ireland, have said they carried out their own safety checks and felt the water was safe.

Housing minister Darragh O’Brien has said those involved in the investigation need to be “very forthright”.

Describing the event as an “awful tragedy” on Tuesday, the minister said his thoughts are with the men’s families, adding: “Unquestionably, there are very serious issues that need to be addressed.

“I noted the statement of Triathlon Ireland yesterday evening with interest and indeed with some concern.

“There seems to be a difference between what Ironman Ireland are saying and what Triathlon Ireland are now saying.

“We want to get to the truth of that.

“Fundamentally, for events like this that thousands and thousands of people enjoy right across the country – it’s a very popular pursuit for people – safety has to be at the centre of that and questions will need to be answered.”

The minister said an investigation will be under way but would not be drawn on whether there should be an inquiry into the event.

“All the stakeholders that have been involved there need to be very forthright in what happened that day and what safety measures were or, indeed, were not, put in place.”

He added: “We need to move now to a stage whereby we can find out what happened, was there any deficiencies in the planning of the event and the safety arrangements put in place, and that needs to be done expeditiously.”