The family of a 45-year-old man, who was one of two people who drowned during an Ironman triathlon event in Co Cork in 2023, have expressed their disappointment with a verdict of accidental death returned by a coroner at the inquest into his death.
The family of Brendan Wall, who was originally from Co Meath, claim there was a serious lack of accountability from Cork County Council, Ironman and Triathlon Ireland.
Mr Wall was one of two participants who died while taking part the IRONMAN 70.3 half triathlon event in rough conditions at Youghal in east Cork on 20 August 2023.
An inquest into their deaths in February recorded a verdict of accidental death in the case of 64-year-old Ivan Chittenden from Toronto, Canada.
This afternoon, the inquest resumed into the death of Mr Wall, 45, who was living in the UK but originally from Slane, Co Meath.
The Ironman event took place a day after Storm Betty hit the country with strong winds, heavy rain and high seas. The inquest was told that conditions were rough for the swim leg of the triathlon.
Mr Wall's college friend, Barry Cronin from Kilbrittain, west Cork, also participated in the event. He described chaotic scenes in the water as the swim was re-routed and between 100 and 200 swimmers converged on a buoy to turn.
Safety volunteer Catherine Sheehan was in a kayak close to the end of the swim and said that swimmers were clearly exhausted.
Ms Sheehan, who works as a nurse, said she saw a man she believes was Brendan Wall stop swimming suddenly. She said she immediately thought that he was having a heart attack.
Mr Wall was taken from the water, but efforts to resuscitate him failed.
Barrister Eamon Shanahan, on behalf of Mr Wall's family, asked for witnesses from Ironman and Triathlon Ireland to be called before the inquest, but coroner Frank O'Connell declined.
He said he had made it clear he was not going to examine every aspect of the event.
'Two accidents in 10 minutes is no accident'
Afterwards, Mr Wall's family criticised what they described as a serious lack of accountability from Cork County Council, Ironman, and Triathlon Ireland.
"We are especially distressed that representatives of these organisations were not compelled to attend the inquest to give evidence, denying our legal team the opportunity to seek the answers our family deserved," Mr Wall's brother Martin said, on behalf of his family.
He said the family felt let down.
Watch: Family of man who drowned at Ironman event disappointed by 'lack of accountability' at inquest
"For us, this process was not only about understanding how Brendan lost his life, but also about ensuring lessons were learned to help prevent another family experiencing this heartbreak.
"Sadly, we feel that opportunity has been missed," Martin Wall said.
"We are also disappointed that no meaningful recommendations were made on safety measures or oversight to reduce the risk of future tragedies at events like this.
"We had hoped for leadership, courage and a willingness to address the wider issues raised, but we leave feeling let down."
Martin Wall said that while the inquest ends a stage of the process, it does not bring closure for his family.
"We will carry Brendan's loss forever, honour his memory every day, and continue to hope that meaningful change will come from this tragedy so other families may be spared this pain.
"Two accidents in 10 minutes is no accident," Mr Wall said.
Coroner Frank O'Connell returned a verdict of accidental death, with Brendan Wall having drowned after he almost completed the swimming leg of the triathlon.
He noted the triathlon was being run in difficult conditions.
Mr O'Connell said Mr Wall was "probably exhausted". He also said that everyone knew there was some risk involved and everyone who participated had signed a waiver.
He extended his sympathies to Mr Wall's family.
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