UK government pledges £50 million for Casement Park redevelopment
THE UK GOVERNMENT has allocated £50 million to support the redevelopment of Casement Park in west Belfast.
The money was included in the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' spending review, which outlines the Government's spending plans over the coming years.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it is now time to get the GAA stadium built.
Plans for a 34,000-capacity stadium have been mired in uncertainty because of a major funding gap of around £150 million.
Advertisement
The Government announcement includes £50 million to support the stadium being developed over four years.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the GAA said that the British government's support was a recognition of the long-standing commitments given to redevelop Casement Park.
The GAA had offered the stadium to be used for the Euro 2028 Championships but the long-running row over who would pay for it dashed Northern Ireland's hosting hopes.
GAA President Jarlath Burns described the new funding as 'generous' and that it shows Secretary of State Hilary Benn's recognition of the GAA's 'commitment and goodwill' in sharing venues 'for the benefit of everyone in our society'.
'His support and that of the UK Government now represents a critical opportunity to finish this NI Executive flagship project, delivering the last remaining stadium of the 14-year Regional Stadia Programme, and helping to leave a lasting legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society,' said Burns.
'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.'
Michael Geoghegan, President of Ulster GAA added: 'For too long GAA members, players and supporters have been left behind with frustrations growing on commitments given but not delivered. With this announcement there is now growing momentum and belief that Antrim's home and Ulster's provincial stadium is a step closer.
'We look forward to the project getting started and hosting some of the largest, most exciting and significant games on the island of Ireland while also significantly adding to economic recovery and regeneration in Belfast and beyond.'
Written by Press Association and posted on TheJournal.ie
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
'Emergency rally' against racism to be held outside Belfast City Hall today after days of unrest
AN 'EMERGENCY RALLY' against hate and racism will be held today in Belfast following days of racially charged violence in Northern Ireland. The rally, organised by United Against Racism, will take place at midday outside Belfast City Hall. Speaking to The Journal ahead of the rally, Ivanka Antova, chairperson of the Belfast branch of United Against Racism, said migrant communities in Northern Ireland have been left feeling scared, persecuted and blamed for crimes that they have not committed after this week's violence. 'We're hoping for a cross-community turnout that represents what we know is the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland, and on the island, who want an end to the racist riots and violence and the persecution of migrant communities to stop now,' she said. Advertisement Unrest spread across towns in Northern Ireland this week after violence first broke out in Ballymena following a vigil on Monday for a teenage girl allegedly sexually assaulted by two 14-year-old boys. Earlier that day, the boys had appeared in court and were charged with attempted rape, where a Romanian interpreter read them the charges. They have both since been released on bail. What followed were riots and what police have described as racially motivated violence, with people forced to flee their homes due to the racially motivated attacks. On Wednesday, masked youths attacked a leisure centre in Larne, which is located about 30 minutes from Ballymena. Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has since called for a DUP minister to resign because of a social media post he sent hours before the attack. In the social media post, the DUP's Gordon Lyons said the leisure centre was being used to accommodate individuals 'following the disturbances in Ballymena'. Related Reads Further disorder in Northern Ireland as police back-up drafted in from Scotland PSNI condemn 'shameful arson attack' on leisure centre in Larne after third night of violence I went to talk to people in Ballymena, and was told to make myself 'scarce' or there'd be trouble He has since said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena. O'Neill accused Lyons of 'inflaming tensions' and failing to show proper leadership. Today's rally will begin at midday. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Taoiseach warns of online misinformation fuelling violence
The current level of 'calculated' misinformation spread online to incite violence is a real concern, the Taoiseach has said. Micheál Martin said some people want to exploit any situation or incident to provoke a violent response against others. Mr Martin was in Co Down on Friday at the 43rd meeting of the British-Irish Council (BIC), which took place following a fourth consecutive night of violence in multiple towns in Co Antrim. More than 40 officers have been injured in the various incidents, and Northern Ireland's police chief warned 'bigots and racists' that the police will pursue them. Mr Martin noted that the BIC had met in Dublin on the evening of the Dublin riots in November 2023, drawing a parallel to Friday's meeting and highlighting that it is an issue governments around the world are facing. Such incidents, he said, have receded, but when one occurs, everybody is 'on alert.' The violence, fearmongering, and misinformation surrounding migration must be addressed at both a societal and political level, the Fianna Fáil leader said. It is an issue that cannot be solved through the criminal justice system alone, he added, noting that 'our system is slow.' Mr Martin said the Government has observed how the UK has handled incidents similar to the Dublin riots more expeditiously, and it is 'something we are keeping under review.' Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Special courts are not currently under consideration, he said. Legacy Speaking at the same conference, Mr Martin defended Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn's work on legacy issues following criticism from the DUP. He paid tribute to Mr Benn's "honesty, determination and the way he has pursued this issue" adding that he would never question the secretary's bona fides when it comes to doing the best for the people of the North. DUP leader Gavin Robinson had criticised what he called Mr Benn's 'disgraceful attempt to satisfy the Irish Government' while dealing with legacy matters. Mr Martin said it is important for the two Governments to continue working together so that all victims and their families can learn the truth about what happened. "Irrespective of our backgrounds, our government, we are all meeting victims and now we are meeting the grandchildren, grand-nephews and grand-nieces of victims," he said, adding there is an onus on all sides to develop a process that can comprehensively address the legacy of the Troubles. Regarding renewed calls for a public inquiry into the death of former IRA member Denis Donaldson, Mr Martin said he has no objection to meeting with the family. (left to right) Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Donegal in 2006, less than six months after disclosing that he was an MI5 and PSNI informer. Mr Martin said he is open to hearing the family's perspective, acknowledging that they have endured a huge and ongoing trauma. "Invariably, we should be very clear, it is the people who carried out the murder who bear the responsibility here and that is the case in all murders and acts of violence," he said. "It is those who drove the bombs, those who pulled the triggers that are responsible." However, there is a need to examine whether security and policing were adequate in any given situation, and this is done through Fiosrú, the Taoiseach said. A general view of the derelict grounds of the Casement Park stadium. Casement Park Mr Martin said that Casement Park has been idle for far too long, and now is the time to agree on how to proceed with the stadium's construction. Earlier this week, the UK Government announced it had allocated £50 million toward the redevelopment project, which is expected to cost nearly £270 million. Mr Martin welcomed the UK funding and said the Government's €50 million commitment from the Shared Island Fund is 'unprecedented.' He said the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA will now consider how best to proceed. Read More Nearly 5,000 people waiting for home support care
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Anthony Daly: Why the lack of respect for hurling and Kildare?
AS soon as the GAA+ schedule was released earlier this week, I immediately checked to confirm that the Dublin-Kildare match was being shown. I was disgusted to see that it wasn't. Was I surprised? What do you think? When it comes to disregarding hurling, Croke Park have become experts at it. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
