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The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, TD, and the Minister with responsibility for Sport, Mr. Brendan Griffin, TD, today congratulated the Irish team on their medal successes at the World Para Athletics European championships in Berlin.

Cork’s Noelle Lenihan set a world record throw in the F-38 discus today to add a fourth Irish gold from the championships after Orla Barry (T57 discus), Jason Smyth (200m T13) and Greta Streimikyte (T13 visually impaired) secured gold medals on Tuesday.

Minister Ross said:

The performances of Ireland’s Para athletes never ceases to impress. Following upon the brilliant performances of our swimmers in the World Para Swimming Championships in Dublin last weekend, it is fantastic to see the continued hard work of our athletes being rewarded with medal success in Berlin. The dedication all of them put into achieving their potential is a credit to all of them and I know that their enthusiasm to represent the country on the international stage makes these moments extra special.

Minister Griffin added:

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding performances of the Irish team at the World Para Athletics European championships in Berlin. As we have seen with their previous performances at the Paralympics in Rio two years ago, the country is fortunate to have an outstanding crop of talented men and women on the national squad. It has been inspiring to witness these brilliant athletes achieve great things in international competition and it is another boost to Para sport in Ireland after the successful hosting of the World Para Swimming Championships in Dublin last weekend.