Corkman dies swimming Channel

Ireland’s swimming community is in mourning after a Corkman died while crossing the English Channel, one week after Steve Redmond’s Oceans Seven world-record feat.

Páraic Casey, aged 45, lost his life after suffering a suspected heart attack during his attempt to cross the 34km stretch of water, dubbed the Mount Everest of open-water swimming.

The challenge is considered one of the most dangerous open-water swims in the world, as those attempting it battle cold waters, strong currents that prevent straight-line swims, six-hourly tide changes, and extremely busy shipping lanes for at least 13 hours.