A 29-year-old from Co Armagh has broken a world record after a marathon swim from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
Jordan Leckey took off from Donaghadee at 6.40am on Monday and swam to Dunskey Castle close in Portpatrick in the space of nine hours, nine minutes and 30 seconds.
Once approved, his time will replace the previous record of nine hours and 34 minutes which is held by an American swimmer, Michelle Macy, after her attempt in 2013.
Amid celebrations, the former competitive swimmer told PA: "Some people around me were talking about records, but I just wanted to get to the other side, that was my only real focus, no matter how long it took.
"I spent a year training, through lockdown, I built my own pool in my garage and tethered myself to the wall and just swam. Once it was warm enough in the lough (Neagh) for training sessions I was in the lough every day," he said.
"The Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers were a great support making sure I always had someone to swim with."
The Portadown man then said he celebrated the record-breaker with a pint and a jam sandwich.
Mr. Leckey explained that was helped out by a support swimmer who was able to join him in the water three times for an hour of the duration but said he questioned if he was going to make it.
Speaking about the lengthy swim, he said: "The first two hours were the toughest because you're just starting and haven't got into the mental swing of things.
“You're having all these doubts, thinking it's really cold, it's really far and am I actually going to be able to make it.
“After a while, your body gets numb to the cold but the first hours you feel it.
"There were quite a few jellyfish en route but luckily enough I only got stung on the very tip of one of my toes.
"I tried to stand up and pump my fist in the air but I just didn't have any energy left.
"As soon as I climbed up onto the rock I heard shouting, 'that's a world record', and it just felt so good," he said.
The record attempt has been submitted for ratification with the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association (ILDSA) and the Guinness Book of Records.
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