Former DUP minister calls on GAA to increase ‘laughable’ funding for Casement Park

Former DUP Minister Jim Wells has repeated calls for the GAA to increase its “laughable” contribution to Casement Park after hints the Irish Government was prepared to offer more.

On Sunday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the Irish Government “won’t be found wanting” over Casement Park, but that it was now a question of timing on whether it could happen in time for the Euros in 2028.

It has already committed €50m (£42m) towards the spend which has ballooned from an original £77m estimate to as high as £308m.

In 2011, the Stormont Executive had committed £62.5m with the GAA promising £15m, which the sporting organisation has said it will not go beyond.

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn has given his support to the project but has yet to commit a final figure or to a timescale.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Mr Wells questioned if Casement Park would even sell out tickets for the five games of the Euros.

He also mistakenly stated the GAA had donated a million pounds to each county in Ireland from the proceeds of Ireland rugby using Croke Park, when in fact it had been a gift from the billionaire JP McManus.

“A £300m expenditure. That’s a massive amount of money given the pressures on health, education, roads etc. For what? For four or five games where there may not even be a full stadium,” he said.

“I attended the Northern Ireland v Ukraine match at the Euros in Lyon in France. That stadium was 40% empty, because if there’s no home nations involved in the match, the spectators just aren’t there.

He added: “For the GAA to put up £15m for a £300m stadium is laughable. This is a very wealthy organisation that could easily stump up £60-70m for its own new stadium.

“It’s the biggest (sporting) organisation in Northern Ireland and the Republic.”

“It was able to give a million pounds to each county on the island of Ireland following the rugby internationals so this is a huge organisation.”

Mr Wells said the GAA would have to at least treble their contribution before any new funding negotiations begin.

Meanwhile, the SDLP MLA Justin McNulty welcomed the “rock solid” support from the Irish Government and Sunday’s comments from the taoiseach.

“Like me and so many others, the Irish Government sees the enormous opportunities of ensuring Casement is ready to host Euro 2028 fixtures,” he said.

“We all recognise that this is no mean feat – that’s why I am engaging with the UEFA president to press for the flexibility to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.

“This month, we have seen the Euros grip the imagination of sports fans everywhere. Strong leadership is now required to bring that fervour and fandom to our shores.

“The Irish Government have led the way on Casement Park. Now is the time for ministers in Stormont and London to follow their lead, step up to the mark, and ensure that the doors of Casement will be open for the 2028 Euros.”