Cork Ironman Organisers Told Event Could Not Be Sanctioned - Triathlon Ireland

Organisers of a half Ironman triathlon where two competitors tragically died in county Cork, were reportedly told that the event could not take place, as it was not sanctioned following an assessment into water safety, according to Triathlon Ireland.

This was shared via a statement from Triathlon Ireland's Chief Executive Darren Coombes, who said that a water safety assessment was carried out by technical officials, who attended the race beforehand, in line with normal practice.

According to the organisation, the event's organisers were told that the race could not be sanctioned "due to adverse conditions on the day". 

"Triathlon Ireland is the national governing body for triathlon in Ireland, a role which includes providing sanction for club and commercial races to proceed", Mr Coombes said. 

The two men who died at the event were named as 45 year old Brendan Wall who was originally from Slane, Co Meath, but had been living in the UK for many years, and 64 year old Ivan Chittenden from Toronto, in Canada, and were participating in the sea swim element of the event, before getting into difficulty at Claycastle beach in Youghal on Sunday.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has called the deaths a "terrible terrible tragedy", adding that it is important for the "full facts of what happened to be established". 

"It is important that the full facts of what happened are established, and that any questions that are being asked are comprehensively answered", the Cork South Central TD also added. "I've no doubt the organisers of the event will conduct a comprehensive investigation into what happened". 

"Cork County Council is the lead sponsor of the event, and I have no doubt that they will want a full account of what happened as well". 

Ironman Ireland have yet to comment on the matter at the time of writing.