Staff Reporter
27 May 2025 5:38 PM Shared from IrelandLive:
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she is “determined” to see the redevelopment of Casement Park.
The planned refurb of the derelict GAA ground in west Belfast has faced years of delay due to legal action by concerned residents and funding uncertainty.
Asked for an update on the situation during Executive Office questions on Tuesday by SDLP MLA Justin McNulty, Ms O’Neill said she consistently raises Casement Park with all levels of the British and Irish Governments.
She was also due to meet with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to discuss it on Tuesday afternoon.
Currently plans for a 34,000-capacity venue on the site are in limbo due to a major funding gap of around £150 million.
Last year the UK government ended hopes that the Belfast venue would host Euro 2028 soccer games when it said it would not bridge the funding gap to deliver the reconstruction in time.
The Stormont Executive has committed £62.5 million to the redevelopment, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million while the GAA has pledged to contribute at least £15 million.
The UK Government has said it will decide if it will make a contribution to the build costs as part of next month’s UK-wide Spending Review.
However, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has made clear that even if the Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap.
On Tuesday, Ms O’Neill said: “We have to put every bit of energy and effort that we have to ensure that it is will be built.
“This is an Executive flagship project.
“I am determined to see it over the line, and I’m determined to work with all partners to ensure that that is the case.”
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