August 21: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Two participants die during swimming leg of Youghal Ironman event
The two men who died in the Ironman Ireland event in Youghal, Co Cork have been named locally as a Garda investigation begins. The competitors have been named as Brendan Wall, who was in his mid-40s and originally from Co Meath but was living in Solihull in the UK, and Ivan Chittenden (64), who travelled from his home in Toronto, Canada to take part. The men had been taking part in the swim portion of the event when they separately got in to difficulties. They were removed from the water and pronounced dead by medical personnel. Gardaí were present in the control room of the Ironman event all day and were at the scene of the tragedy.
The Irish Times

Man due in court in relation to PSNI data breach
A man charged with possessing documents following a PSNI data breach will appear in court today. The PSNI said the 50-year-old man, who has been charged with possessing documents or records likely to be useful to terrorists and possession of articles for use in terrorism, will appear at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court. Personal data on all serving members of the PSNI was published earlier this month following an error by a junior member of staff in response to a Freedom of Information request. Details released included the surname and first initial of every employee, their rank or grade, where they are based and the unit they work in.
RTÉ

RTÉ’s Kevin Bakhurst ‘won’t deal directly’ with talent agent Noel Kelly as stars set for pay cut
RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst will not work with Noel Kelly when he is negotiating future pay deals with presenters who are on the talent agent’s books. Despite an audit of payments to Ryan Tubridy last week finding that Mr Kelly played no role in RTÉ publishing incorrect pay for the former Late Late Show host, Mr Bakhurst said he would “not deal directly” with the agent. Mr Kelly’s NK Management represents a host of well-known RTÉ presenters, such as Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy, Kathryn Thomas and Doireann Garrihy. Before the RTÉ pay scandal, Mr Kelly was centrally involved in negotiating contracts for some of the public service broadcaster’s best-paid presenters.
Independent.ie

Politician’s brother arrested over probe into Waterford pier damage
The brother of a well-known politician has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to property belonging to a fishermen’s organisation in Co Waterford. The man’s family has political affiliations at national and local level.
The Irish Examiner

Development at ‘white water rafting’ site at stalemate as council ‘in limbo’
Plans for a new development on George’s Dock have ground to a halt, as Dublin City Council struggles to decide on how the site should be used. The space had previously been earmarked for a controversial white water rafting facility, which was quickly shot down by the public and politicians. Other mooted developments included a public lido and then a general water sports facility. However, the council is at a “stalemate” with how to progress, according to southeast inner city councillor Danny Byrne.
The Journal

Lucy Letby: Bereaved families demand new law as baby serial killer set to snub sentencing today
Lucy Letby is due to be sentenced today for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others, but the neonatal nurse is expected to avoid attending court – prompting calls for new legislation to force criminals to face justice in person.
Sky News

Donald Trump confirms he will skip Republican presidential debates
Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not take part in Republican presidential debates with his rivals in the race for the White House. The ex-president said one latest poll showed he had “legendary” numbers ahead of other hopefuls to be the party’s nominee for the 2024 election. “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had,” Mr Trump, 77, wrote in a post on social media. The first Republican presidential primary debate will be on 23 August. Voting in the Republican primary election begins in the state of Iowa on 15 January 2024.
BBC News

‘Fired on like rain’: Saudi border guards accused of mass killings of Ethiopians
Saudi border guards have been accused of killing hundreds of Ethiopians using small arms and explosive weapons in a targeted campaign that rights advocates suggest may amount to a crime against humanity. The shocking claims are made in a detailed investigation by Human Rights Watch, which interviewed dozens of Ethiopian people who said they were attacked by border guards while they tried to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen.
The Guardian

Today’s forecast
Windy in the west and northwest with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, turning heavy at times this afternoon and evening. Drier across the rest of the country with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 17 to 23 degrees, warmest in the east. Moderate to fresh south to southwest winds, strong and gusty at times in the west and northwest. Rain and drizzle at first in the west and northwest, clearing to scattered showers overnight. Driest in the southeast of the country. Rather cloudy with some clear breaks. Moderate to fresh southwest winds will ease light to moderate overnight. Lowest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees.
Met Éireann