LAST UPDATE | 12 Sep 2021

THE MAN THAT died after falling ill while taking part in an adventure race in the Maumturk mountains in Co Galway has been named as Dublin native Carl Dempsey.

The organisers of Gaelforce West said they are deeply saddened to confirm that a competitor died during the final section of the race yesterday.

Carl Dempsey was married to the interim CEO of Inclusion Ireland, Lorraine Dempsey, and had four daughters – Rianna, Sadhbh, Freya and Hannah.

Lorraine Dempsey paid tribute to her husband on Twitter today.

“My heart has been left on the top of Croagh Patrick, never to come down again,” she wrote.

“I would like to think @carl_dempsey got to the top of the mountain and felt elated before his heart stopped during Gaelforce. Thank you to everyone who tried to keep his heart going. He is gone from us.”

My heart has been left on the top of Croagh Patrick, never to come down again. I would like to think @carl_dempsey got to the top of the mountain and felt elated before his heart stopped during Gaelforce. Thank you to everyone who tried to keep his heart going. He is gone from us pic.twitter.com/VSTaj7Nvsb

— Lorraine Dempsey (@LorDempsey) September 11, 2021

Carl worked for Salesforce as Vice President of Solution Engineering, the chief executive of the software giant Marc Benioff also paid tribute to Carl today.

“Our beloved Carl Dempsey has left us and I am deeply shocked and saddened. For 16 years, he guided our Ohana, inspired us, and showed the way forward with his bright light,” Benioff wrote.

Carl always had a kind word & a sparkle in his eye. May the One who brings peace bring peace to his family & All.

The organisers of Gaelforce West said in a statement that race control was notified that a competitor had become ill on the final section of the race route at 12:21.

According to the statement “the event marshals responded to the scene immediately. The emergency plan was activated and the emergency services, including helicopter support, were called to the scene.

“Despite all of the care given to the competitor he did not survive. The competitor’s next of kin have been notified.

We extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the competitor and ask that their privacy is respected at this time.

Gardaí confirmed that emergency services attended the scene of the medical emergency on the mountain at around 1pm yesterday and that a man in his 40s was taken to a nearby hospital. 

The final stage of the race is a seven kilometre climb in the Maumturk mountain range. Earlier sections of the race include kayaking across Killary fjord, three running or walking stages and a 35 kilometre cycle.