Finally getting somewhere.
The Casement Park row has to be one of the longest ongoing sagas in the GAA, and that’s saying something.
For over a decade the stadium has been trying to finish its plans to be redeveloped and hold a 34,000-plus capacity.
However, the latest of a series of legal issues has finally been overturned, as The Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents Association had challenged the decision by former Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon to grant approval.
Delivering judgment in the review case on Tuesday, Mr Justice Humphreys said all arguments advanced by MORA on planning grounds were “without merit”.
Ulster GAA said it was a “momentous” step for the stadium plan and released the following statement:
“Today’s ruling by Mr Justice Humphreys is truly momentous for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster and the GAA at national level, who dismissed the legal challenge against the granting of planning permission for Casement Park. The decision was clear, unambiguous and emphatic.
“We can now, finally, plan for the delivery of our provincial stadium and the last remaining project within the NI executive’s regional sports stadia programme.”
The statement added: “We recognise the outstanding work of the Casement Park project team, their expertise, professionalism, and dedication throughout this long journey.
“They have worked tirelessly to ensure that the transformational sporting, cultural and economic benefits of this iconic stadium can finally be realised.
“Our full efforts will now be focused on continuing to work with the Department for the Communities and its regional stadia team, finalising all remaining aspects of the business case, implementing our extensive and far-reaching community engagement and benefits programme as we move towards the construction phase of the project.”
