Clare diver achieves world record with 10km swim

A CO Clare man has become the first person to dive and swim 10km without surfacing for air.

It took Christy Healy six hours 21 minutes to make the record at Lough Derg in Killaloe, Co Clare, on Sunday last, according to a statement issued on his behalf.

This was his second attempt, as three weeks earlier he had had to abandon a dive from Doolin Pier when he reached a distance of 9.4km. Mr Healy had said he was “determined not to be beaten” after the setback and was “absolutely thrilled and relieved” to have completed the dive.

Photographs, video and other evidence collected will be sent to the Guinness World Records for confirmation of his achievement.

The event was in aid of the Share A Dream Foundation for terminally ill children. Mr Healy “knows all too well about fighting illness and the immense effect it has on the whole family, as his own son Stephen fought his battle with cancer only last year”, founder Shay Kinsella said.