Blame game: deaths and the Youghal Ironman

Since the announcement of the deaths of two men – Meath native Brendan Wall (45) and Canadian Ivan Chittenden (64), during the swimming stage of the Youghal Ironman – there have been many reports from eyewitnesses and participants about the choppy conditions all 2,000-plus competitors faced.

A key question is around the circumstances in which the Cork event started, with Triathlon Ireland stating that it informed the organisers it could not sanction the race under such conditions.

For its part, the US-owned Ironman group asserted that its representatives in Youghal were informed of the Triathlon Ireland decision not to sanction the race only hours after the swim finished.

The outcome of that dispute could have wide implications, not least for the insurance status of all those who took part.

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On this episode of In the News we hear from Ironman participant Stephen Donnelly – who came sixth in the competition on Sunday – and who explains how the day unfolded and how he faced the wild sea conditions; reporter Hugh Dooley who has been in Youghal talking to locals and competitors, and from Irish Times current affairs editor Arthur Beesley who explains the blame game and how it might play out. Presented by Bernice Harrison