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Tyrone GAA club snubs controversial gold firm cash

Member of St Patrick's GAC Greencastle have decided not to take money from Canadian mining company Dalradian
Member of St Patrick's GAC Greencastle have decided not to take money from Canadian mining company Dalradian Member of St Patrick's GAC Greencastle have decided not to take money from Canadian mining company Dalradian

Members of a GAA club in Co Tyrone have snubbed a special fund set up by Dalradian Gold amid claims the multinational firm is involved in a “charm offensive”.

Members of St Patrick’s GAC in Greencastle decided last week not to make an application to the 'Tyrone Fund' which provides money to community organisations.

A spokeswoman for Dalradian last night said the Canadian-based company had donated £126,000 to various groups in the area between 2010-15.

Members of St Patrick’s were asked by the club last week if it should apply to the cash fund, but a majority said ‘no’.

People in the Greencastle area have voiced fears after it emerged that Dalradian plans to use cyanide at a proposed processing plant and mine in the heart of the district, a short distance from the club's GAA facilities.

The firm has insisted the use of cyanide is highly regulated.

St Patrick’s came to national prominence in 2007 when the club was crowned All-Ireland junior football champions.

Club secretary Sean Clarke said members have clear views on taking cash from the mining firm.

“It’s evident people in the area people don’t think they should be involved in it,” he said.

The clubman claimed there is a “charm offensive” which could “create division in the community”.

“I think the people have listened, seen and are making up their minds,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Dalradian confirmed how much cash has been handed to local organisations.

“This is an average of £21,000 per year," she said.