Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Sex offender Jay will be held up as a role model...he is anything but’
Outrage as Glens give player lifeline in the Irish League
NEW SIGNING Player with Mick Mcdermott
SHAMED footballer Jay Donnelly will be held up as a role model after he was signed by Glentoran, feminists warned.
Donnelly, now 25, admitted sharing an indecent image of a child in 2016 and was sentenced to three months in prison.
Glentoran boss Mick Mcdermott said the sportsman deserved an opportunity to rebuild his life.
But the Belfast Feminist Network hit back: “Like many people we are appalled by the statement. We cannot forget that Jay Donnelly shared a private image of a minor without her consent.
“This is a crime regardless of the number of people he shared it with or whether they were his friends and the sexual act being consensual. We are disappointed Jay will undoubtedly be held up as a role model when he is anything but.”
In June 2016, Donnelly took a photograph of a 16-year-old girl while they were having sex.
It was sent to a friend and a Whatsapp group that included fellow Cliftonville players. It was subsequently leaked and appeared on social media. Cliftonville terminated his contract. A Glentoran statement said the club “believes everyone deserves a chance to put mistakes behind them and Jay Donnelly is no different”.
It added: “The club acknowledges he has both paid and atoned for his past mistakes and deserves the opportunity to rebuild his life and football career.”
The player said he was humbled and had agreed to have counselling.
He added: “I have had several years now to reflect on my actions and I can guarantee everyone both in football and society that I have learned from my mistake and it is something I would never consider repeating.”
Like many people we are appalled by the statement BELFAST FEMINIST NETWORK YESTERDAY