The UK government cannot yet confirm whether it will provide funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast, as it awaits updated cost estimates and revised proposals for the project, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has stated.
His comments came after the GAA indicated optimism that a scaled-back version of the redevelopment could move forward without placing an undue burden on public funds.
GAA President Jarlath Burns said the organization still aims to create a stadium with a capacity of over 30,000 but emphasized that the design will be “more modest and basic” compared to earlier plans, which had been prepared when Casement Park was proposed as a host venue for the Euro 2028 soccer tournament.
The GAA has now reportedly reverted to its original redevelopment plan for Casement, drafted before the stadium was considered for the Euros.
Mr. Burns led a GAA delegation to meet with Stormont’s Communities Minister Gordon Lyonsin Belfast yesterday to discuss the …