Cork court: Soccer player who sent threatening texts to young man given suspended sentence
Killian McCarthy solicitor said that Issa Kargbo (above) had been hoping to avoid a conviction in case it would interfere with future international travel in the course of his sports career. Picture: Larry Cummins.
Threatening texts sent by a soccer player to a young man working at a premises in Cork frightened him so much that he left the job and today the culprit was given a three-month suspended sentence.
Killian McCarthy solicitor said that Issa Kargbo had been hoping to avoid a conviction in case it would interfere with future international travel in the course of his sports career. He said the offence dated back more than three years.
However, Judge Mary Dorgan said there had to be a conviction and she imposed a three-month suspended prison sentence.
Reading out some of the texts that were sent and referring to the victim impact statement she said the texts had terrible consequences for the young man’s psychological, emotional and even financial wellbeing, noting that it took him some time to find a new job.
In the course of his victim impact statement he said: “Direct threats were made with impunity and indifference against my person, psychological wellbeing, peace and safety.
“I am a hard-working citizen of this country who orders my conduct with the law. I am least of all entitled to live my life without threats but most importantly without the burden of having to worry about my personal safety and wellbeing.”
Mr McCarthy, solicitor, said the defendant had gathered €800 compensation for the injured party.
The 23-year-old man is on a semi-professional contract with a Welsh soccer club.
Issa Kargbo who had been living at Blackrock Mews, Convent Road, Blackrock, previously pleaded guilty to the offence.
Garda Chris Campbell previously charged Mr Kargbo that between March 19, and March 26, 2022, at Glasheen, Cork, he sent a phone message that was obscene and menacing contrary to the Post Office Act as amended by the Communications Regulations (Amendment) Act.
Texts threatened that another person would do violence: “He would come into work and kill you in front of everyone."
"You little pussy, I’ll have you killed. I should have the first time.”
App?
