Menu
02/10/2009
GAA's 'Equality' Commitment Welcomed
Just days after a row over a Stormont Minister's threat to withdraw funding from Gaelic clubs who named grounds or competitions after dead paramilitaries, the DUP Sports Minister will attend his first GAA match in Northern Ireland tomorrow.
Nelson McCausland has accepted an invitation to the International Police Gaelic Football Tournament final at Newforge Country Club in Belfast.
He will be there to watch the finalists battle to lift the Police Cup.
It will be the first time the biennial tournament - comprising the New York Police Department, London Metropolitan Police Service, An Garda Siochana and the PSNI - has been hosted by the PSNI Gaelic Football Club.
The move comes against a more positive, diplomatic backdrop to the GAA furore.
The Gaelic Athletic Association's boss said yesterday that clubs "welcome everybody regardless of their political opinions".
The Ulster President, Tom Daly said GAA rules banned it from backing any political party and said he was confident that the GAA met all funding criteria.
"Irrespective of whatever changes are made in the future, as long as everything is done in the context of equality legislation, we don't have any fears," he added.
Mr Daly said he believed all GAA members would want the organisation to stay out of politics, something which had "served it well" in the past.
"GAA places and spaces have been places where everybody, irrespective of political affiliation or none, has been welcome," he said.
Mr McCausland welcomed the news and said he was encouraged by Mr Daly's comments.
"Some of the work we have been doing has helped to encourage change, and I think we'll see more changes in the GAA in the future," he said.
See: GAA Grants Kicked Into Controversy
(BMcC/KMcA)
Nelson McCausland has accepted an invitation to the International Police Gaelic Football Tournament final at Newforge Country Club in Belfast.
He will be there to watch the finalists battle to lift the Police Cup.
It will be the first time the biennial tournament - comprising the New York Police Department, London Metropolitan Police Service, An Garda Siochana and the PSNI - has been hosted by the PSNI Gaelic Football Club.
The move comes against a more positive, diplomatic backdrop to the GAA furore.
The Gaelic Athletic Association's boss said yesterday that clubs "welcome everybody regardless of their political opinions".
The Ulster President, Tom Daly said GAA rules banned it from backing any political party and said he was confident that the GAA met all funding criteria.
"Irrespective of whatever changes are made in the future, as long as everything is done in the context of equality legislation, we don't have any fears," he added.
Mr Daly said he believed all GAA members would want the organisation to stay out of politics, something which had "served it well" in the past.
"GAA places and spaces have been places where everybody, irrespective of political affiliation or none, has been welcome," he said.
Mr McCausland welcomed the news and said he was encouraged by Mr Daly's comments.
"Some of the work we have been doing has helped to encourage change, and I think we'll see more changes in the GAA in the future," he said.
See: GAA Grants Kicked Into Controversy
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
26 November 2024
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Missing Boys On 50th Anniversary
Police have made a fresh appeal to the public for information regarding the disappearance of two young boys in west Belfast on the 50th anniversary of the date they went missing.
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Missing Boys On 50th Anniversary
Police have made a fresh appeal to the public for information regarding the disappearance of two young boys in west Belfast on the 50th anniversary of the date they went missing.
09 August 2007
Fermanagh GAA Player Reconsiders Decision To Quit
A Lisnaskea GAA player who quit the sport due to sectarian abuse is reconsidering his decision after he received an apology from the Fermanagh GAA board. Darren Graham, 25, decided to give up the sport following incidents where he received sectarian abuse while playing for his County Fermanagh club.
Fermanagh GAA Player Reconsiders Decision To Quit
A Lisnaskea GAA player who quit the sport due to sectarian abuse is reconsidering his decision after he received an apology from the Fermanagh GAA board. Darren Graham, 25, decided to give up the sport following incidents where he received sectarian abuse while playing for his County Fermanagh club.
26 November 2024
PSNI Launches Annual Christmas Operation
Police launched Operation Season's Greetings today ahead of the busy festive period. The annual Chrismas operation, which aims to keep people safe in the run-up to and over the Christmas and New Year period, will see an increase in proactive police patrols across key areas of Northern Ireland.
PSNI Launches Annual Christmas Operation
Police launched Operation Season's Greetings today ahead of the busy festive period. The annual Chrismas operation, which aims to keep people safe in the run-up to and over the Christmas and New Year period, will see an increase in proactive police patrols across key areas of Northern Ireland.
26 November 2024
Searches Conducted In L'Derry Regarding Paramilitary Activity
Police investigating drugs criminality linked to the INLA in L'Derry have conducted a number of searches today.
Searches Conducted In L'Derry Regarding Paramilitary Activity
Police investigating drugs criminality linked to the INLA in L'Derry have conducted a number of searches today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
