Four others have been killed by falling goalposts, says boy’s mother

A MOTHER whose only child died after a goal post fell on him, said four other children have died in similar circumstances.

Miriam Fitzgerald’s son, Andy, died last August 5, shortly before his 11th birthday, in circumstances which were described at the time as a freak accident. However, Ms Fitzgerald said the Government had been warned well in advance of her son’s death that children could be in danger unless goal posts were pinned down.

Speaking outside an inquest in Limerick yesterday, Ms Fitzgerald, accompanied by her husband, Pat, said the accident at Holy Cross Soccer Club, near their home in Bruff could have been avoided.

A canvass practice screen which covered the face of the goal mouth, billowed with a sail-like effect due to a strong wind, and this was responsible for toppling the structure onto Andy Fitzgerald.

“Please recommend it be made law that goalposts are pinned down,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

She said that in recent years, four children have been killed by falling goal posts.

“We believe the government was made aware by at least two families after the deaths of their children, how unsafe unpinned goal posts were, months before Andy’s death. Yet nothing has been done.

“We do not want out pain and suffering to be ignored or conveniently forgotten about. We want something to be done. We never thought we would be living through something like this, never thought it could happen to us. It did. And it could happen to anyone else again.

“If a law is put in place then Andy’s death may be the reason for many more children being saved injury, disablement, or death and many parents being spared this horrific grief.”

She said Andy’s death had been described at the time as a freak accident.

“It wasn’t. Andy is the fourth child in recent times to be killed as a result of falling goalposts and many more have been injured and disabled,” she said.

Billy Hayes, who coordinated the summer soccer camp for the Holy Cross Club, said he had been given the goal mouth practice devise covering 24ft by 8ft, along with other equipment from the regional development officer of the FAI.

Returning a verdict that Andy died in an accident from serious head injuries, the jury recommended that in future moveable goal posts be pinned down.

Coroner Dr Tony Casey said he would relay this recommendation to the Minister for Sport, John O’Donoghue. Dermot O’Donovan, solicitor for the FAI, said he would also bring the request to the notice of the Association.