A skilled artist and frequent ocean swimmer, Cathy Hughes, met a tragic end by drowning at the Old Head beach, close to Louisburgh in County Mayo, according to a recent inquest report revealed on Monday. Hughes, a resident of Salthill, Galway, and originally from Westport, had planned to enjoy the All-Ireland hurling final with her siblings Harry and Vincent on that fatal day of July 21st last year.
Hughes tragically lost her life at the area acknowledged as the back beach of Old Head, in spite of attempts to rescue her. Sarah Page, a fellow beachgoer, witnessed what seemed to be an orange wetsuit from afar. On closer inspection, she realised it was a person floating face-down, unresponsive to her calls for attention. There was no sight of any snorkelling or breathing equipment, she stated in her account that was relayed during the inquest at the Swinford courthouse on Monday.
Cathy’s siblings, Harry and Vincent Hughes, revealed to the district’s coroner, Pat O’Connor, that their sister was an avid swimmer, dipping into the water on a minimum of four occasions weekly. They further stated they were invited to Cathy’s flat to watch the hurling final yet she did not show up. Harry Hughes affirmed that his sister had a practice of swimming from the pier at 2pm, and would only swim from the beach if accompanied.
According to the findings of a previous inquest, the cause of Ms Hughes’ unfortunate demise was determined to be asphyxiation resulting from drowning. Following his pronouncement of accidental death, the coroner extended his deepest condolences to Cathy’s family including her children – William and Isabelle, her grandchildren, and the Hughes clan of Westport.
He further commented on having had the privilege of meeting Cathy several times. Harry Hughes spoke in honour of the commendable efforts of the emergency services in their attempts to save his sister, particularly acknowledging Garda Mary Murphy for her service at the scene and liaison with the family.