Stepson of man killed by Galway United footballer Edward McCarthy in horror crash breaks silence on stop sign photo

The stepson of the man killed by Galway United footballer Edward McCarthy in a three-car smash said he is perplexed as to why the player agreed to hold a stop sign during a recent photoshoot.

Dariusz Jakubowski said the insensitive blunder simply “shouldn’t have been allowed to happen” and explained 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 which was accompanied by Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s song ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’.

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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 following a collision 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 stop 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.”

Andrzej Obalek.

He said he is happy McCarthy has been able to keep living his life following the tragedy.

Mr Jakubowksi explained: “Generally, I was happy when I saw a young boy who plays football and is active in life.

“It would be worse if he had a mental breakdown and started taking drugs or drinking because then we would have two tragedies at the same time.

“At the same time, I feel sorry for him that he is so young and has to live with it, carrying it inside him.”

Mr Jakubowksi said everybody was shocked by Andrzej’s death back in 2020 and said his step dad was always very safe on the road.

He explained: “Nobody could believe he had died in a car accident. We were all shocked. If the speed limit was 80km Andrzej went 80km, if it was was 50km, he went 50km.

“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.”

He described his stepdad as a “simple” and “quiet man” who went to work and read lots of books.

It comes as Andrzej’s close pal Joanna Klekowska said she wants the League of Ireland side to explain what the post was actually 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.”

Joanna added: “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.

“It would be great to hear some feedback from the Galway United social media team or the player himself.”

Speaking about her pal, she said: “He was a kind, generous, hardworking and joyful man.

“We miss him a great deal.”

She added: “I believe that the person who caused Andrzej’s death should be locked in prison for a very long time, not messing around.”

At the time of the crash, McCarthy was playing for Cork City FC U19 team and was driving home to Limerick with three other passengers following a training session.

During the court case, Sgt Tony Cronin said the soccer player lost control of his car after coming through the Ballybeg Bends near Buttevent.

He explained that this caused McCarthy’s car to cross over to the wrong side of the road.

McCarthy then hit Mr Obalek’s car which was travelling towards Cork.

Mr Obalek’s vehicle hit a ditch and the 55-year-old was killed instantly.

McCarthy then collided with the car which was behind Mr Obalek’s vehicle.

The driver of that vehicle sustained only minor injuries.

McCarthy and his passengers were uninjured despite his car spinning around.

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.

During the court case, Sgt Tony Cronin said McCarthy was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The cop said he believed the smash was caused by the soccer player driving at excessive speed into bends and losing control of his vehicle.

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