GAA club seeking to alter stadium decision

A GAA club has asked the High Court for permission to bring a legal challenge to a decision that the new Shamrock Rovers stadium…

A GAA club has asked the High Court for permission to bring a legal challenge to a decision that the new Shamrock Rovers stadium in Tallaght should be a soccer-only venue.

Thomas Davis GAA club in Tallaght wants to overturn South Dublin County Council's decision of February 13th, 2006, that the 6,000-seat stadium at Whitestown Way, Tallaght, should be completed for soccer only.

That decision was in accordance with a proposal of the county manager made earlier in 2005.

However, after a public consultation process, and following a recommendation by the Tallaght Area Committee in November 2005, the manger's proposal was altered to one in favour of a multi-sport stadium involving the development of a larger pitch suitable for Gaelic games.

READ MORE

The council on December 12th, 2005, unanimously adopted a resolution in favour of the second proposal.

However, after it was told that Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue would only provide funding for a soccer-only stadium, the council on February 13th, 2006, passed a resolution which reverted to the original proposal.

Yesterday, Robert Barron SC, for the GAA club, applied to Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill for leave to bring judicial review proceedings aimed at overturning the February 13th decision which, he contended, was made in excess of the council's powers and was, therefore, null and void and of no effect.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.