Club apologise for ‘jaw-droppingly offensive’ Murder on the Dancefloor stop sign post of player who killed man in crash
A LEAGUE of Ireland club has deleted and apologised for a controversial social media post of a player holding a stop sign featuring the song Murder On The Dancefloor.It had been pointed out the man had been convicted of killing a dad-of-two in a car crash.
Galway United’s Instagram post image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor
McCarthy was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej ObalekCredit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Tragic Andrezej Obalek died in the crash
The Instagram post by Galway United to promote a Premier Division clash against St Patrick’s Athletic tomorrow showed Ed McCarthy, 22, holding up the traffic sign.
The image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor and a golf club that is used to tee off and hit a ball long distances, which is known as a driver.
The Moyross, Co Limerick native was 19 when he was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej Obalek, 55.
McCarthy was driving home from a training session with Cork City on February 18 that year at Ballybeg, Buttevant, Co Cork on the main Cork-Limerick road at around 10.40pm and was speeding through bends.
He lost control of his car and crossed over the divide to the wrong side of the road, hitting the Polish national’s car and causing him to hit a ditch and die instantly.
McCarthy also hit another car that was following behind Mr Obalek’s vehicle and that driver suffered minor injuries.
He told a court he “never meant harm to anyone” and “never set out to do anything like that to anyone”.
During the trial, Judge Sean O’Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court read a victim impact statement by Obalek’s sister, Urszula Obalek-Owstrowska.
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It said: “Andrezej’s death caused a great gap in my life that I cannot fill with anything. I am still waiting for his calls, text messages, full of optimism.
“You robbed me of this forever. I believe that the greatest punishment for you will be living with the knowledge that you have killed a great man.”
The judge then addressed the court saying: “I hope the victim impact statement by Mr Obalek’s sister is burned into his brain and he never forgets it.
“It is a belief that she has expressed to bring out the hurt that she has felt over the loss of her brother.”
After it was posted, social media users were quick to point out the problems surrounding the image.
In a post about the picture on Reddit, one user said: “Wow, not a good look at all.”
Another added: “That golf club is a driver as well. Just jaw-droppingly offensive.”
On X, one user said: “What would possess someone to think that was a good idea?”
‘Tasteless’
Another described it as “horrible” and “tasteless, from both club and player”.
The post on Instagram has since been deleted.
Today, Galway United said it had meant no offence and wanted to “unreservedly apologise”.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Galway United wish to advise that there was no offence intended by a recent social media post issued by the club and would like to unreservedly apologise for any hurt or distress that the post may have caused.”
New contract
Right-sided defender or midfielder McCarthy signed for Galway United in February 2022.
McCarthy, who previously played for Cork City, Treaty United and Regional United, signed a new contract at Galway United last month.
He had been named in the 2023 Professional Footballers Association Ireland First Division Team of the Year.
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