Local authority breaks silence on Ironman fatalities

CORK COUNTY Council has broken it's silence on the fatal Ironman event, as host sponsor.

On Sunday, August 20, the triathlon event claimed the lives of two men in Youghal, Cork, after the two participants aged in their 40’s and 60’s, got into difficulty while swimming.

The local authority has now come forward to say that they do now hold ‘any responsibility’ for the tragic outcome of the race.

This statement comes as Triathlon Ireland says it did not sanction Sunday’s event.

“Cork County Council, as Host Sponsor, has supported the IRONMAN triathlon events in Youghal and East Cork in 2022, 2023 and that currently planned for 2024,” the statement reads.

“As part of this arrangement, Ironman is the owner of the event - and has sole responsibility for the management and co-ordination of the event, this responsibility includes to run the Event with due care, skill and attention.”

As Host Sponsor, the responsibilities of Cork County Council are limited to the following supports:

• the organisation of road closure permits
• the use by IRONMAN of certain Council facilities in Youghal (buildings, car park, public areas)
• the provision of extended cleansing operations, the provision of waste collection, utilities (water and electricity) and storage areas.

“Cork County Council does not have any responsibility for the management and operation of the event and any decisions related to the races proceeding, nor indeed the different elements of the individual races.”

Cork County Council says that it ‘recognises’ that the fatalities may be the subject of a Coroner’s Inquest and is ‘seeking a full account of the event from Ironman’. 

As a result, the local authority will determine its future position as Host Sponsor once it is in receipt of the account. In the meantime, the council will not be commenting further on the matter.