‘STORMONT OWES GAA MEMBERS IN ULSTER APOLOGY’
redevelopment of the West Belfast Stadium in time for the 2028 European Championships.
“Casement was never a UEFA project,” said McNulty (below). “It was an Executive commitment for over a decade. The collapse of government on two occasions for more than five years in that time has had a catastrophic impact on delivering this showcase project.
“We must provide hope to Gaels in
Antrim. We must provide hope to Gaels in Ireland and to the people of West Belfast.”
The Mullaghbawn club man said that “trust was in tatters” between the GAA and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Northern Ireland Secretary of State
Hilary Benn said there were doubts over whether the stadium would be completed in time for a UEFA deadline of summer 2027.
Risk
He also stated that the British government couldn’t risk investing in the stadium, with their projected costs in the region of £400 million, and a black hole of £22 billion in British finances.
GAA President Jarlath Burns has disputed the figure. He is likely to meet Benn later in the week.
UEFA specifications saw the completion price rocket for the Andersonstown Road venue.
But other estimates to build the stadium for GAA only purposes have come in at around £250m, with a current shortfall of £130m.
A total of around £120m has been put in place so far from the
Irish Government (£42.5m), the Stormot Executive (£62.5m) and the GAA (£15m).
Speaking to the BBC today, Benn refused to commit to a figure that the British government would invest into the stadium, saying it wasn’t the time.
Speaking earlier, McNulty said the weekend developments had “compounded 13 years of frustration for those of us who believe in the potential of the redevelopment of Casement Park to be a huge win for Gaelic games.”
He continued: “The team at Ulster GAA put in an incredible effort to try and get this across the line in time for the Euros and to ensure that the North would reap all the benefits associated with hosting a tournament of this magnitude.
Ambition
“That this has fallen apart has nothing to do with them and the blame lies solely at the feet of government, who have moved too slowly, showed no ambition and now we must pay the price.
“Casement Park is more than a stadium. It’s the heart of the
GAA in Ulster and it has lain derelict and dormant for far too long.
“The last match played at Casement Park was more than a decade ago in 2013.
“There should be a frank apology today to a generation of footballers, camogie players and hurlers who have missed their chance to step out onto that hallowed turf and play for their club, their county, their country, their friends, and their family.
“That is a desperate, disappointing and sad state of affairs.”