Bertie Ahern acting as mediator in GAA handball centre dispute

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has confirmed he is acting as chief mediator in the ongoing dispute between the GAA and the management committee of the Irish Handball Centre.

The dispute, which began in 2003, is over the potential redevelopment of the handball and community centre on St Joseph's Avenue in Drumcondra in Dublin's north inner city.

Mr Ahern told The Irish Times he accepted the offer as mediator after both sides of the dispute approached him to help come to an agreement over the future of the handball centre.

“This has been a big issue for more than 20 years and as taoiseach I was aware of it,” he said. “I still live in the local community and know all the people involved in the dispute. When both sides asked me to assist I agreed.”

Mr Ahern added that he hoped the talks would come to an agreement in the near future.

Chairman of the local Croke Park Streets Committee Eamonn O'Brien said the talks were considering all available options but that the mediation process remained confidential.

“It’s been a very long running dispute but we hope to come to a resolution that ensures the provision of the facility for the community but also for the handball association,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said the GAA needed to be respectful of the importance of the centre for both young and old people in the local area following the recent spate of murders in the north inner city.

“It’s a key facility because it has a social aspect to it as well. It also provides for people with special needs and has been an extremely important community facility for the past 40 years.”

A spokesman for the GAA refused to comment on the talks with management of the Irish Handball Centre at this time.