FAI stops using nets involved in boy’s death
While the camp at Holycross in Limerick was not an official FAI scheme, the association yesterday said the netting would not be used as a mark of respect.
Andrew Fitzgerald, the “sports mad and hugely talented” only child of Pat and Miriam Fitzgerald, died after being struck on the head by falling goalposts.
It is thought a gust of wind caught the netting and caused the posts to topple over. He died in hospital, an hour after the accident.
He is the second little boy to be killed by a falling goal post in a year. Last September, 10-year-old Lee Lucchesi from Dundalk died when a goalpost fell on him at a pitch in Boyerstown, Co Meath.
Andrew will be laid to rest tomorrow following a funeral mass at Grange Church near the boy’s Old Road home.
Gardaí have already described the accident as a “freak” but it is being investigated by the Health and Safety Authority.
The target netting was FAI-approved and had been fixed to the portable goal. Its aim is to improve shooting.
A spokesman for the organisation said they would not be using this equipment in their camps, in the immediate future.
“Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family, extended family and friends. We are not aware of any safety concerns about this piece of equipment at the moment.
“As a mark of respect we will not use it in the immediate future,” said an FAI spokesman.
FAI chief executive Fran Rooney expressed his sympathy for Andrew’s family.
“No one can say anything at a time like this which adequately expresses the sadness we all feel at the tragic loss of a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents, family and friends of Andrew, who was a great lover of football,” Mr Rooney said.
“The Football Association of Ireland will be providing every assistance to the investigation into the accident by the gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority.”
Andrew was one of 150 youngsters attending the week-long summer camp at Holycross Soccer Club. He also played rugby and Gaelic games with teams in Bruff, Co Limerick.
Members of all the local clubs were yesterday making preparations to form a special guard of honour to the funeral mass at 2pm tomorrow afternoon.
A spokesman for Holycross Soccer Club said that everyone concerned was devastated by Thursday’s tragic events.
Local priest, Fr Joe Foley, said yesterday that everyone involved with the soccer club was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“There is great credit due to them for all the work they have done but our hearts and thoughts are with them because I spoke to some of them in the hospital and they were all absolutely devastated,” he said.
Normally, sports clubs organise their own public liability insurance.
While not able to discuss the tragedy in Limerick, Michael Horan, of the Irish Insurance Federation, said: “You need to be focussed on risk management.”
“The point is if people get injured, are you legally liable? Is there something that you have done or failed to do that has caused that injury,” Mr Horan added.
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