Northern Ireland

DUP opposed to extra cash for Casement Park

Workmen at Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast this week
Workmen at Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

The DUP has insisted it will not pledge any more than the £62m originally earmarked for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

The confirmation came after the Irish government said it will donate 50m (£42.9m) to the redevelopment fund.

The GAA has agreed to contribute just £15m.

The west Belfast ground have been derelict for since 2013 as a result of legal rows with local residents and funding wrangles.

The cost of the redevelopment has risen significantly from the £77m figure originally costed, with some estimates putting the price tag anywhere from £160m – £200m, or more.



The GAA’s contribution together with the Irish government and Stormont gives a total of £119.9 – which is significantly short of the £200m upper estimate.

How much the British government intends to contribute is still not known.

It is also unknown if the GAA intends to up its contribution.

DUP communities minister Gordon Lyons, whose department is now leading the redevelopment has remained tight lipped over the potential cost of the project.

Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast
Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

However, his party colleague, North Down MLA Stephen Dunne, has previously highlighted his party’s concerns.

“We support the joint Euro 2028 bid, but we will oppose any plans to allocate additional resources to meet the GAA’s shortfall in the Casement Park project from NI Executive budgets at a time when hospitals and schools need additional and necessary resources,” he said.