Newry MLA meets Ulster GAA about Casement Park redevelopment

SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty has said the redevelopment of Casement Park must now be prioritised by the Department of Infrastructure.

McNulty and Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly MLA met with senior management in Ulster GAA this week on a range of issues and the redevelopment of Casement Park was a key part of their deliberations.

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Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty said, “The redevelopment of Casement Park is long overdue and was part of an investment package by the Executive in sports stadiums.

“Ravenhill and Windsor Park have been redeveloped and Casement Park remains the only stadium not to be completed.

“Casement is in the unenviable position that the latest planning application is in the system almost the same length of time we have had no Executive and Assembly at Stormont.

“Stormont fell in January 2017 and the latest planning application for casement was submitted just weeks later in February 2017,” he continued.

“The proposal by Ulster GAA will see a new stadium which will accommodate more than 34,000 spectators developed at Casement Park in West Belfast.

“This project has been a long-running saga and Gaels from all over Ulster and Ireland just want to see one of the country’s great amphitheatres of Gaelic Games open for both players and spectators alike.

“The sportsmen and women of Antrim, Ulster and Ireland have missed the big sporting occasions in Casement and its reopening is long overdue.

“We need to see a real sense of urgency injected into this process.

“I fear there is an approach being adopted within the Planning, Roads and other statutory consultees that there is no great urgency in dealing with this case and there is no desire to get this over the line.

The Newry MLA added, “I can assure them that is not the case. Gaels in Ulster and across Ireland are eager to see this application approved and the works commence. This needs to happen and it needs to happen without any further delay.”

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Sep 25 2019. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry