Inquest opens after Old Head tragedy

A coroner has heard a Westport mother of two who died tragically while swimming in Clew Bay last month, died from asphyxia due to drowning.

Cathy Hughes, who was 66, died after she got into difficulty while swimming off Old Head Beach near Louisburgh on Sunday, July 21.

Ms Hughes, an accomplished artist and a member of a well-known local business family, was taken from the water after the alarm was raised at approximately 4pm.

Members of Westport and Louisburgh Order of Malta and local lifeguards were among those who attended the scene and gave their assistance before Ms Hughes was pronounced dead and her body was conveyed to Mayo University Hospital.

Pathologist Dr Tamas Nemeth confirmed, after the inquest was opened to enable a death certificate to be obtained, that the medical cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning.

Patrick O’Connor, the Coroner for Mayo, sympathised with Ms Hughes’s son, William, and daughter, Isabelle; her sisters, brothers, extended family; and her wide circle of friends.

Mr O’Connor and Sgt Conor Drury, who also offered his condolences on behalf of An Garda Síochána, praised the efforts of the Louisburgh Order of Malta and the local lifeguards.

The inquest was subsequently adjourned until October 7 for the substantive hearing.