Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said that the UK government will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament.
The derelict west Belfast ground was earmarked to host five matches in Euro 2028, being jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland.
In a letter to Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Mr Benn said the cost of building Casement Park had risen to £400 million.
GAA Central Council delegates were informed at a meeting last weekend that the project would cost in the region of €306m.
The letter was also sent to First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, as well as the leaders of Northern Ireland's political parties.
Mr Benn said: "The estimated build costs have risen dramatically, from £180m when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400m, and there is a significant risk that it would not be built in time for the tournament.
"We have therefore, regrettably, decided that it is not appropriate for the UK Government to provide funding to seek to build Casement Park in time to host matches at Euro 2028.
"This has been a very difficult decision to make, given our belief in the Euro 2028 partnership, but it is the only way forward in the circumstances."
Northern Ireland Secretary and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in the joint letter that they will engage with those involved on "the appropriate way forward" for Casement Park.
"We will continue to work together with partners and Uefa regarding Northern Ireland's involvement in Euro 2028 moving forward, and remain fully committed to ensuring that the tournament positively impacts on the whole of the UK, providing a legacy for football and people across all four home nations," the joint letter to the Stormont Executive said.
"As we understand it, the Executive remains committed to building Casement Park and you will no doubt want to take stock of the project in light of this decision.
"We will, therefore, seek engagement with NI partners, including the GAA, in the coming weeks, to discuss this decision in more detail as well as seeking views on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park."
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Casement Park decision 'a missed opportunity' - O'Neill
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the announcement is deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity for sport and our economy.
The Sinn Féin MLA said: "Casement Park will be built. It’s an Executive commitment, and something that both the British and Irish governments have committed to.
"The decision not to proceed with Casement Park in time to host UEFA Euro 2028 is deeply disappointing and a missed opportunity not only for local sport, but for our economy.
"This was a unique opportunity to create jobs, boost tourism, and showcase our island’s sporting talent on the global stage.
"We will continue to work with the GAA, our local executive and the two governments to push this project forward and get these state-of-the-art facilities built and a first-class stadium for Gaelic games delivered.
"To make this announcement on the same day as pausing funding for the transformational City and Growth Deal for our towns and cities smacks of cynicism from the British Secretary of State.
"Hilary Benn has said clearly that Casement Park will be built, so I would urge his government to honour the commitments they’ve made and let’s get it built."
TUV leader Jim Allister said it was the right decision.
Refusing to squander £400m on Casement is the right decision. From a government which has raided pensioners' winter fuel fund it would have been unconscionable to do otherwise than pull the plug.
— Jim Allister (@JimAllister) September 13, 2024
Let’s hope it is fully pulled and there will be no side deals to give preferential…
Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has said that the new stadium at Casement Park should be built.
He said: "The Government has already made a funding commitment of €50 million to this project, and that commitment stands.
"We will continue to engage with all the stakeholders to progress the stadium at Casement."
A spokesperson for Ulster GAA said: "We've received this evening’s statement on Casement Park from the Government. It is bitterly disappointing for the GAA, our partners in the IFA and for the wider sporting community. We will provide a more detailed response later this weekend."
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