A DOUBLE-amputee living beside Casement Park has spoken of his fears that a redeveloped stadium could affect his quality of life.
Bobby Murray had both his legs amputated last year after prolonged problems following injuries suffered in a workplace accident around 18 years ago.
The 77-year-old lives with his wife Sheila at Mooreland Drive, one of the likely exit routes for spectators using the planned new GAA ground in west Belfast.
He hopes to drive a specially-adapted disabled car, but fears that emergency exits could affect his ability to access the vehicle and park outside his home.
"I have to have a car parked on my street because I'm in a wheelchair. I'm applying for disabled access in Mooreland Drive," he said.
"I'm going to have the vehicle here parked at my door. I have a wheelchair-friendly one which I'm going to be able to drive myself with my hands.
"My wife's car would be parked in the driveway. We can't have two cars parked in the driveway, one would have to be parked outside."
On Monday The Irish News revealed that a report by emergency services has suggested only around 18,000 people could safely evacuate a redeveloped Casement in the event of the Andersonstown Road being closed.
The best-case scenario for the 'emergency evacuation safe capacity' assumes that no cars are parked on the residential streets including Mooreland Drive.
It has led to fears that residents could be prevented from parking outside their homes during some match days and events.
The GAA has insisted the proposed capacity and design has not been finalised and will only emerge following an extensive public consultation and discussions with key stakeholders.
Mr Murray, a former businessman, had his right leg amputated above the knee on Easter Sunday last year and his other leg below the knee before Christmas.
He and his wife have lived at Mooreland Drive for almost 50 years.
Mrs Murray (77), a retired teacher, said her husband would need to park on the street right outside their front door.
"Where would Bobby put his car? How would he get to it? It's no use to a man who has no legs who needs his car outside his house," she said.
"He presses a button and the back doors open, he drives up the ramp and the doors close. It's bigger than a normal car to enable him to use it."
A fresh Casement planning application is expected in September, nearly two years after approval for a 38,000-capacity venue was overturned in the High Court.
Mrs Murray said she is against a new stadium on that scale, and also fears it could block light reaching her home.
"My brother played for Antrim. I'm not against the GAA, far from it, but I'm against what they're proposing to do here," she said.
"We're in this house from 1968. I reared three boys in this house. I have never been rude, I've never been nasty. I just think what they are doing is wrong."
