Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6524Dangerous driving causing death · Co. Cork · 18 Feb 2020

Stepson of man killed in 2020 crash by Edward McCarthy speaks out over Galway United photo

On 18 February 2020, Andrzej Obalek, a 55-year-old Polish man, was killed at the Ballybeg Bends near Buttevant, Co Cork, when his car hit a ditch after a collision with a car driven by Edward McCarthy. McCarthy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, and in November 2020 Judge Sean O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court gave him a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban. In February 2024, Mr Obalek's stepson, Dariusz Jakubowski, criticised a Galway United Instagram post showing McCarthy holding a stop sign, which the club apologised for and deleted.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Andrzej Obalek, a 55-year-old Polish man, was killed when his car hit a ditch after a collision with a car driven by Edward McCarthy.
Where
The crash happened at the Ballybeg Bends near Buttevant, Co Cork.
When
The collision took place on 18 February 2020.
Cause
Gardaí said McCarthy lost control after coming through the bends and crossed to the wrong side of the road, while the garda sergeant believed excessive speed into the bends caused the crash.
Other details
  • McCarthy was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the garda sergeant.
  • McCarthy was driving home to Limerick with three passengers after a training session, and all were uninjured.
  • The driver of the car behind Mr Obalek's vehicle suffered only minor injuries.
  • Mr Obalek's stepson, Dariusz Jakubowski, said the post shouldn't have been allowed to happen and was annoyed that McCarthy appeared to be smiling in the photo.
Charges
McCarthy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
In court
The sentence was imposed by Judge Sean O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
In November 2020 McCarthy was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban.
Investigation
In February 2024 Galway United apologised after posting an Instagram photo of McCarthy holding a stop sign, and the post was deleted.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAndrzej Obalek was killed when his car hit a ditch after a collision with McCarthy's car. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whereThe crash happened at the Ballybeg Bends near Buttevant. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • whenThe collision took place on 18 February 2020. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeGardaí said McCarthy lost control of his car after coming through the bends and crossed to the wrong side of the road. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • causeThe garda sergeant believed the crash was caused by McCarthy driving at excessive speed into bends. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • chargeMcCarthy pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed by Judge Sean O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • sentenceIn November 2020 McCarthy was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the garda sergeant. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy was driving home to Limerick with three other passengers after a training session. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe driver of the car behind Mr Obalek's vehicle suffered only minor injuries. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy and his passengers were uninjured. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherGalway United apologised after posting a photo of McCarthy holding a stop sign on Instagram. (galwaybeo.ie)
  • otherThe stepson said the post shouldn't have been allowed to happen. (galwaybeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Feb2024
    Sentencedgalwaybeo.ie, first report
    Stepson of man killed by Galway United footballer Edward McCarthy breaks silence

    Reports the stepson's reaction to Galway United's apology for an Instagram post showing McCarthy holding a stop sign. Adds the stepson's comments, the victim's friend's comments and background on the 2020 crash and sentence.

    victim, Andrzej Obalek, 55, male, Polish, non-irishAndrzej Obalekconvicted, Edward McCarthy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward McCarthy