Family’s anger over football photo gaffe
THE stepson of the man Galway Utd footballer Edward Mccarthy killed in a crash said he is perplexed as to why the player agreed to hold a stop sign during a photoshoot.
Dariusz Jakubowksi said the insensitive blunder “shouldn’t have been allowed to happen” and said he’s annoyed because the player appears to be smiling in the snap.
Earlier this week, Galway United were forced to apologise after posting the picture to their Instagram accompanied by
Sophie Ellisbextor’s song
Murder on the
Dancefloor.
The post was quickly deleted after social media users slammed the
League of Ireland side for the gaffe.
Mccarthy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of
Polish man Andrzej
Obalek, 55, on
February 18, 2020.
Mr Jakubowksi accepted it was likely a genuine mistake on the club’s part but can’t fathom why
Mccarthy agreed to pose with the sign.
He said: “It’s either stupidity or he’s ignoring what happened.
“If the meaning behind the picture had been to raise awareness about road safety and encourage people to be careful on the road it would have been positive.
“It would be the best form of apology for everyone and even after all these years, it would prove that he is sorry and wants to help others not do similar stupid things while driving and yet there is no remorse in that smile, only mockery.” Mr Jakubowksi said everybody was shocked at the loss of Andrzej and said his step dad was always very safe on the road.
He said: “I never saw him break the rules of the road, he never broke a red light or sped so that’s why we were all shocked when we found out what happened.”
It comes as Andrzej’s close pal Joanna Klekowska said she wants the football club to explain what the post was supposed to mean. She said: “I’m not sure what was the purpose of the post by Galway United.
“It would be great to get some input from their social media team.
“I sincerely hope that they did not mean any harm by this post.
“It would be disrespectful, awful, and very painful for Andrzej’s family and his friends.
“If this was supposed to be a message to bring awareness of road safety then I think this was not the best way to do it.”
Mccarthy was playing for Cork City FC U19s team and was driving to Limerick with three passengers at the time of the crash.
The court case heard the soccer player lost control of his car and the vehicle had crossed over to the wrong side of the road.
Mccarthy then hit Mr Obalek’s car which was travelling to Cork.
Mr Obalek’s vehicle hit a ditch and he was killed instantly.
In November 2020, he was given a two-year suspended sentence and banned from getting behind the wheel for seven years by Judge Sean O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.