A FORMER DUNDEE United striker has apologised for making bizarre comments in a Scottish newspaper about Limerick and its citizens.
In a news story published online by the Herald Scotland, Jordan Moore, described Limerick as a place “full of gypsy horses”.
“They call the area Stab City. On every second lamp post there is a horse tied against it,” he told the newspaper.
Moore, who stayed in Limerick on a three-month loan with Limerick FC, added:
There must be 20 horses in every street you walk down.
“But if you tried to cut the horses loose then they would kill you – supposedly,” he claimed.
“The police came and moved all the horses away one day. The next (day), the guys who owned the horses, smashed every shop and put all their cows in the shops and in schools as well.
The farmers who had cows in their fields put them in the shops, the Spars and supermarkets, for revenge. The police gave them all the horses back and told them to watch what they were doing.
The picturesque village of Bruff, where Limerick FC have set up a soccer academy in the former FCJ Convent secondary school, also came in for some incredible criticism from Moore.
“I stayed in a place called Bruff. It was the weirdest village ever,” he told journalist Neil Cameron.
“The locals would jump on the backs of horses and just ride along. There were no cars. Or at least there was more horses than cars,” he added.
Moore said he was forced to vacate the academy’s accommodation units at the Convent after claiming it was haunted.
He said a nun had previously died by suicide in his room.
Moore also claimed he had trouble securing his wages from Limerick FC:
I wasn’t getting paid on time and I told them it couldn’t continue.
“They wanted me to stay for the rest of the season but it is all a lot more sane over here,” he told the Scottish publication.
In a subsequent email sent to Limerick, FC Mr Moore said: “To all at Limerick FC, I am writing to apologise unreservedly for any distress I may have been caused by the coverage in today’s newspapers.
“It was completely unintentional.”
“My comments have been taken out of context and sensationalised, particularly about the town of Bruff,” he said.
“The people in the town were extremely nice to me during my time there and I am sorry for any offence and distress I have caused,” Moore added.
“I have been a bit naïve and it is a harsh lesson learned for me. Again, my apologies.”
Bruff reaction
Reacting to Moore’s comments, the Mayor of Limerick City and County, Counsellor Liam Galvin, said he was “horrified and disgusted”.
“It’s very disappointing. He calls Limerick stab city. Ok, there was a nickname on our city, but that is long gone,” he said.
Defending the city, he added: “We are very proud of our culture. We are very proud of our sporting achievements here, particular in soccer, rugby and GAA.”
Referencing the city’s past troubles with gangland crime, the mayor said: “I want to acknowledge the work that the gardai have done in bringing our city back from where it was many years ago.
“They have brought our city back from the dark days. I am very proud to say our city is on the way up.”
Following Moore’s apology, a spokesman for Limerick City and County Council confirmed it had been in contact with representatives for Jordan.
“We accept this apology and welcome, in particular, the clarification that the people of Bruff were extremely nice to him during his time there,” he said.
“This is what we have come to know and expect of Bruff, which is a very hospitable and welcoming town and anything but what was portrayed in the article, which Jordan now clearly states was unintentional.”
Meanwhile, Declan Hehir who runs a local scare attraction at the Bruff Convent called The Asylum, invited Mr Moore back to visit over Hallowe’en.
“We’d love to invite him. He’ll get the fright of his life,” Hehir said.
“And, we’ll give him a free pony ride as well.”
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