UK Government's £50m pledge for Casement Park an enormous step forward – O'Neill
A UK Government pledge of £50 million for the development of Casement Park is an 'enormous step forward', Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly responded by stating that sport across Northern Ireland is 'crying out for financial support'.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed that the £50 million is ringfenced for the rebuild of the west Belfast GAA stadium and cannot be spent on other projects by the Stormont Executive.
The money was included in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review, which outlines the UK Government's spending plans over the coming years.
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said it is 'past time for the redevelopment of this historic venue to get under way'.
Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium have been mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap of around £150 million.
The Government announcement includes £50 million over four years to support the currently derelict stadium being developed.
Ms O'Neill said: 'Casement Park is an Executive flagship project and is more than just a sporting venue, it will serve as an economic driver for the surrounding communities and region, creating jobs and attracting investment.
'Today's commitment of substantial funding from the British Government marks an enormous step forward. It is time for all of us to pull together to now get Casement built.'
Stormont ministers committed £62.5 million to Casement in 2011, as part of a strategy to revamp it along with football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill.
While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement was delayed for several years because of legal challenges by local residents.
The estimated build cost spiralled in the interim.
Last September the UK Government ended hopes that the west Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 games, when it said it would not bridge a funding gap to deliver the redevelopment in time.
As well as the Stormont contribution of £62.5 million, the Irish government has offered roughly £42 million and the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million.
It has been reported that the cost of the project has fallen to £270 million since it was confirmed the ground would not host Euros matches.
Under current plans and including the £50 million from Wednesday's announcement, the funding shortfall stands at roughly £100 million.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said it was now up to the Stormont Executive to do work on updating plans and costings for the Casement project.
He said: 'We will look at those proposals to support them as best we can.'
The DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has previously said that any additional money for sporting infrastructure in Northern Ireland had to be delivered on a fair and equitable basis.
Ms Little-Pengelly said: 'It'll be over to the GAA in terms of the way forward on that, but from our point of view, it's very much about trying to ensure in an inclusive way that there is fairness right across the needs of all of our sports.'
Asked if the £50 million could be spent on other Executive sporting projects, Mr Benn said: 'It is the bottom line.
'This is £50 million for Casement Park, it is ringfenced for that purpose.'
He added: 'This is an Executive commitment, it dates from 2011.
'Three stadia – Windsor Park, Ravenhill, Casement Park, three great sporting codes.
' Two of them have been done and Casement Park has not been done.
'We all want to see it completed.
'It is worth looking at how much the UK Government has given directly to football, rugby, sport, leisure and other things over the past four-and-a-bit years, it amounts to £47 million, and a very small bit of that, £1.1 million, went to two projects supported by the GAA.
'We're balancing out what has been the contribution to football, rugby, other sports and leisure over the last four years because I think everyone wants to see the Casement Park project completed.'
GAA president Jarlath Burns said it was an 'important and significant' investment from the UK Government.
He added: 'We know, however, that this is not the final piece of jigsaw and there is much more work to do.
'The GAA will engage directly with the NI Executive and the Department for Communities to ensure that all parties actively pursue, and secure, a full funding package that will deliver upon the GAA's strategic stadium need.'
Ms Reeves' announcement was also welcomed by the Irish government.
Deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said Dublin had long supported the redevelopment of Casement Park as a 'landmark sports infrastructure project'.
Mr Harris said: 'In February 2024, we made an early commitment from the Shared Island initiative of up to 50 million euro (£42 million) for the redevelopment of Casement.
'We underlined our commitment at that time to support the GAA in progressing this project in partnership with the UK and NI authorities.
'I will now engage with all these partners to deliver a redeveloped stadium.
'The last match hosted in Casement was well over a decade ago and it is past time for the redevelopment of this historic venue to get under way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
PR-savvy and now finally a knight - Beckham always knew how to turn on the charm
A sporting icon courted by prime ministers past and present, newly knighted Sir David Beckham is renowned for being extremely media savvy. Never more so than when I interviewed him for Sky News at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, after he took part in the closing ceremony having played a key role in London's winning bid to host the 2012 Games. Speaking about Sir Alex Ferguson in the interview, canny Sir Becks heaped praise on his old boss in our interview. But he'd been less complimentary about his old boss in a conversation with prime minister Gordon Brown, I later learned. I'd travelled to Beijing with Mr Brown, via Afghanistan, and we spent the final evening of the Games at the handover party, when Boris Johnson - then London mayor - famously spoke in his speech about "wiff waff" (table tennis) coming home. During his Beijing visit, Mr Brown had been promoting the idea of a Great Britain football team competing at the 2012 Games and there was speculation about Sir Alex being the team's coach. "Aah, Sir Alex," Becks said wistfully and apparently affectionately when I asked him about being re-united with his former Manchester United manager during the interview. "Like a father to me." Later, on the flight home to the UK, when I told Gordon Brown about the interview, the prime minister laughed. "That's funny," he said. "Why?" I asked him. Beckham played for Fergie at Manchester United from 1995 until 2003, when he joined Real Madrid amid claims that Ferguson disapproved of the player's showbiz lifestyle. By 2008 he was playing for LA Galaxy in the US. But despite his canny, PR-savvy answers in my interview, I saw him work the room that night in Beijing and glad-hand relentlessly. He gave every interview asked of him and turned on the charm on behalf of UK PLC to everyone present. For politicians and prime ministers, sportsmen and women like Beckham are pure gold. David Cameron was also a fan and was photographed sitting alongside Becks at the London Games. When "Goldenballs", as wife Victoria called him, retired from football a year later, a No 10 spokesman gushed: "The prime minister's view is that David Beckham has been an outstanding footballer throughout his career. "But not only that, he has been a brilliant ambassador for this country, not least if we remember all the work he did on helping us win London 2012." There was indeed a Great Britain men's football team at the Olympics, but it was coached by former England legend Stuart Pearce, not Sir Alex. And Pearce, nicknamed "psycho" for his aggressive style on the pitch, didn't pick Becks either, though he claimed he'd faced pressure from Downing Street to include him. Then in 2017, David Cameron's former spin doctor Craig Oliver claimed a senior Tory cabinet minister - thought to have been George Osborne - suggested giving Becks a peerage and appointing him sports minister in a 2013 cabinet reshuffle. That never happened either, obviously, though at least now David Beckham is also a knight - just like his "father figure" Sir Alex.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder
Petrol bombs were thrown at police for a fifth consecutive night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' for the region. After serious public disorder erupted in Ballymena on Monday, the focus of the violence and unrest has since shifted to Portadown. One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest on Friday. Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town. Shortly before midnight, the PSNI used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas. The force used the water cannon again at around 12.30am on Saturday. Elsewhere on Friday, there were reports of disruption and damage to public property as riot police responded to another protest in the Tullyally area of Londonderry. It came after a senior officer said there would be a 'scaled-up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was 'to reassure our communities and protect our streets'. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week. The unrest and riotous behaviour spread to other towns including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families have been provided with emergency accommodation. A police representative group said at least 63 police officers have been injured in the five days of disorder, which led political leaders to call for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop. 'What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,' she said. 'The whole of the Executive is united on that front.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a 'difficult time for Northern Ireland' with 'disgraceful scenes of violent disorder', and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected. Additional police officers from Scotland supported the PSNI after a mutual aid request. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is 'absolutely essential'. While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, it appeared to have largely abated in that town by Thursday. However, disorder instead flared in Portadown – although generally at a lower intensity compared to scenes seen earlier in the week. There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'. 'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he said. 'Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order. 'They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community. 'They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.' Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder. He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Witness claims Prince William's billionaire pal said 'I've swallowed something' before he died after 'ingesting a bee' during polo match
Witnesses have claimed that a billionaire friend of Prince William told his teammates 'I've swallowed something' before he died after 'ingesting a bee' during polo match. Sunjay Kapur, 53, collapsed in front of horrified teammates during the game at Guards Polo Club in Windsor. Indian-born Mr Kapur was thought to have suffered a fatal heart attack after being stung in the mouth, potentially triggering anaphylactic shock. It was first claimed by witnesses that he out cried 'I've swallowed something' leading to assumption he may have ingested an insect, the Telegraph reports. Mr Kapur, chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, had hours earlier paid tribute online to the victims of yesterday's Air India plane crash tragedy. He posted: 'Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.' In a statement, Sona Comstar said: 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden demise of our Chairman, Mr Sunjay Kapur. 'He was a visionary leader whose passion, insight and dedication shaped the identity and success of our company.' Author and actor Suhel Seth posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur: he passed away earlier today in England. 'A terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues.' Mr Kapur's former wife, Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, has previously spoken in interviews about him playing polo with the Prince of Wales. The University of Buckingham graduate married Priya Sachdev Kapur, a former model and entrepreneur with whom he had a son named Azarias Kapur born in 2018. Mr Kapur died as his Aureus team were playing in a semi-final match in the Cartier Queen's Cup against Sujan Indian Tigers. The match started at 3pm on Tuesday, June 12 at the club's Smith's Lawn grounds. The club is closely associated with the Royal family. Prince Philip was the club's president from the time it was founded in January 1955 until his death in April 2021 - holding the role for 66 years. King Charles became the club's new president last year. In a statement the club said its chairman Lieutenant Colonel Sean O'Dwyer along with 'directors and members' were 'shocked to learn that Sunjay Kapur, owner of the Aureus polo team, died after becoming unwell when playing in a match at Smith's Lawn'. The statement added: 'The club sends its deepest condolences to his widow, Priya Sachdev, his children, the wider Kapur family and his Aureus team-mates. ' The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the sports governing body in the UK, said: 'The HPA is enormously sad to confirm that Sunjay Kapur, patron of the Aureus Polo Team, passed away during a match at Guards on Thursday, 12 June. 'The incident was not playing-related and no further details will be released at this time. 'As the governing body, the HPA are supporting those involved and our thoughts are with Sunjay's wife Priya, his family, and the team at this time, and we kindly request that their privacy is respected.' Following news of his tragic death, Ashoka University, in the Indian capital New Delhi, posted online: 'Ashoka University mourns the passing away of Sunjay Kapur, Chairman, Sona Comstar and a valued member of the Ashoka fraternity. 'A prominent figure in India's business community, he will be remembered for his leadership. 'Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.' And the Doon School in India - hailed as the country's equivalent to Eton - said they were 'deeply saddened' by the death of one of their former pupils. A statement shared online described Mr Kapur as 'a passionate fitness and sport enthusiast and a learner for life' who 'worked to make polo more accessible beyond its traditional roots'. The school added: 'Mr Kapur's enduring commitment to excellence, service, and community leaves a lasting legacy. 'The Doon School family extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.' Mr Kapur has been described as a regular on the polo circuit favoured by the royal family. His global automotive company Sona Comsta, with operations across India, the US, China, Mexico and Serbia, provided key electric vehicle industry supplies. Mr Kapur's other positions included being president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and co-chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry's Manufacturing Council. The Guards Club has been described as 'the most prestigious polo club in the world, and members of the Royal Family including King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry have frequently played there. It was originally named the Household Brigade Polo Club and British Army officers of the Household Division regiments were traditionally exempt from paying its joining fee which today stands at £45,000. It changed its name in 1969 then became 'a fully civilian club' in 2000 and is now the largest polo club in Europe in terms of membership and number of grounds. The club hosts around 600 matches a year with its season starting in April each year and finishing in mid September.
