Former Kerry All‑Ireland winner Sean O’Leary condemns TikTok trend after career‑ending crash

The useful part

Harty struck their car as he overtook traffic on a bend on the wrong side of the road, near Abbeyfeale, Co Kerry, on 10 July 2021. Harty, who had a previous conviction for speeding, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, but was found guilty by a jury and jailed for four years with the final year suspended in 2024. O'Leary's girlfriend, Emma O'Connor, who was driving herself and O'Leary, suffered a cruciate leg injury and shock.

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• Ferris said that providing continued "training, support and welfare" for gardaí, in respect of their emergency response to road collisions, and how they personally deal with the after-effects, was also a...
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• O'Leary said the recent social media trend, whereby youths drive dangerously on roads and share their exploits online, "angers" him.
• "It's absolutely ridiculous, and its terrifying, it's genuinely terrifying.

What to take from it

Please give full details of the problem with the comment... "To think people are doing this, is absolutely shocking, and I think penalties need to be increased and people need to face consequences for their actions," he said. "I know what it is like for me and my family and for [my girlfriend] Emma and her family and all our friends – they have lived the trauma with me – they saw when I was in a wheelchair," he said.

Example or evidence

• It contains offensive language, is hateful or incites violence It contains a libellous/defamatory statement Some other reason...
• TikTok accounts rack up thousands of views with stolen cars and garda pursuits O'Leary said that, although losing his inter-county career was "tough to take", he realises he is "extremely lucky" to be alive.
• "It is sometimes forgotten, but our members have to live with the impact and effects of what they see," he said.
• Author David Raleigh View 6 comments Comments Summary Readers debate whether social media bears responsibility for dangerous driving trends.

Details worth keeping

5.57pm, 25 Sep 2026 18.8k 6 Share options Copy link Email Facebook X FORMER KERRY ALL-IRELAND winner, Sean O'Leary, whose inter-county career was wiped out by a dangerous driver, blasted youths sharing dangerous driving exploits on social media. It really angers me, and it has devastating effects," said O'Leary. The talented sportsman sustained an open fracture to his right femur in the collision, "so my right femur came out through my leg", a fractured left femur, "a fracture to my right tibia fibula", a fractured sternum, and long-term concussion.

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