Crossmaglen evacuation imminent says McDonagh

Joe McDonagh, president of the GAA, has announced that he has received assurances that the evacuation of Crossmaglen Rangers' property in South Armagh is about to begin.

In the course of Saturday's speech to the weekend's GAA annual congress, he stated: "In the last 24 hours, I have been informed that physical works, effecting the start of the withdrawal, will start next week.

"On the basis of this progress and the assurances given, which includes people of the highest stature and integrity, we must at this stage accept the bona fides of their commitments and assurances and welcome the imminent full withdrawal from the Crossmaglen Rangers' ground, its full rehabilitation and their addressing of relevant associated issues, including loss of income, amicably and speedily."

McDonagh said he was disappointed that allegations were made "either inadvertently, or for a different agenda" that he had raised the Crossmaglen issue at the 1998 Congress merely as a device to promote the abolition of Rule 21, which prohibits members of the northern security forces from joining the GAA.

"I am certain that history will record my efforts in terms of Crossmaglen for what they are and were, a concentrated effort to have the long injustice redressed as referred to."

He then thanked Dr Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. On the bigger picture in relation to the North he said: "I would like to reaffirm our association's support for the initiatives for peace which have taken place and our unequivocal rejection of violence."

He referred to last May's special congress on Rule 21, pointing out that the GAA had pledged its intent to delete Rule 21 from its rule book when steps were taken to introduce the new policing arrangements envisaged in the British-Irish peace agreement.

"This had been the first time this century that the GAA has made such a pledge and I hope we will indeed have a mandate and be in a position to honour this commitment as soon as possible," he added.

McDonagh told congress that the GAA had raised over £750,000 for the victims of the Omagh bombing.

On more general GAA matters, the president had strong words on the subject of indiscipline. "Indiscipline, violence and thuggery have no part to play in our games . . . Recent events have merely accentuated a problem that has been occurring all too frequently over the past year.

"I am directing all units, charged with the implementation of our disciplinary procedures to undertake their responsibilities in a fair, strong and consistent manner, with a renewed unity of strength and purpose so that we can totally eliminate this malaise that currently afflicts our games."

On the subject of refereeing, McDonagh said he would be strongly encouraging his successor to enhance the role of the National Referees sub-committee to full central committee status next year. But he went on to enter a qualification. "Last year was not a good one for our hurling referees and I availed of the opportunity at the National Hurling Referees' Seminar on Saturday, February 6th to tell them that and to spell out the responsibility they have in relation to disciplinary matters and procedures.

"Too often last year inadequate reports to disciplinary committees and a laxity in application of rules led to an inconsistency that eventually led to understandable grievances."

On football he said that "the primacy of the use of the foot must be restored to our game to allow us explore and develop the exciting potential of Gaelic football."

Amateurism was strongly defended. "We are certain that there is no way that our association can ever support or sustain pay-for-play. We are also certain that any move in this context even if it were sustainable, would destroy the ethos, fabric and structure of the association, leading to its demise."

Other issues touched on by McDonagh included the GAA's intention to "co-operate with the Irish Sports Council in implementing a programme of drug testing".