On July 22nd, 2012, four year old Logan Joyce of Ashbourne Road, County Dublin was found floating face down in the ‘lazy river’ section at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC).

 

As the inquest into the young boys death continued, the court heard that children are “almost guaranteed” to get into difficulty at that specific attraction at the NAC.

 

The Dublin Coroner’s Court heard from lifeguard Graham Smith who said the current can suck children who are even wearing floatation devices in and was the main feature where lifeguards were required to take action.

 

“It’s the number one reason we would get in the water… they are almost guaranteed to get into difficulty there.” He said.

 

The court heard how children were advised to get out of the water before they would be drawn into the ‘lazy river’ and if they didn’t comply, a lifeguard would physically pull them out just to be safe.

 

“It sounds a bit daft but it wasn’t uncommon to have kids walking around on their own. Even if they were a few feet from their parents they could get into difficulty, it’s just so easy to happen,” Graham said.

 

David Conway, the National Sports Campus Director said a fresh audit had been requested and it would be Irish Water Safety who would carry it out.

 

Logan was last seen alive in the wave pool area.

 

In Sgt Joseph Delaney’s statement he said “from the available facts it would appear he made his way all the way around the river.”

 

Logan was spotted by a member of the public and was immediately rushed to Connolly Hospital where he was pronounced dead due to drowning.

 

Lifeguard Russell Ehbel, who has since left NAC, said that ten lifeguards were covering 11 positions that day however, two other lifeguards claimed all positions were manned.

 

Barrister for the NAC, Simon Mills, said “The evidence is clear, Logan Joyce could not swim,” he said.

 

He also accused the father of negligence by saying he “had insufficient flotation devices for the children he brought with him and he elected not to give Logan armbands when he knew Logan was not able to swim.”

 

He later defended what he said by adding he “did not wish to add to anybody’s grief.”

 

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