Thomas Davis GAA Club/Dublin County Board
Thomas Davis GAA Club and the Dublin County Committee of the GAA have noted the decision of Mr Justice Roderick Murphy in relation to SDCC’s plan to develop a stadium in Tallaght. We are clearly disappointed that Justice Murphy decided to uphold the SDCC’s resolution of 13 February 2006 to develop the Stadium as a soccer only stadium, notwithstanding that this resolution was made outside the time limits prescribed by the relevant planning legislation.
We will be reviewing the detailed judgement in the case over the coming weeks in conjunction with our legal advisors before deciding whether to appeal the judgement. Our intentions remain as they always have been, to ensure that this major infrastructural investment in Tallaght, which is to be funded almost exclusively from Government monies, is available for use by all sports codes.
We are very conscious of Shamrock Rovers requirement that the Stadium be completed and available for their use as soon as possible. Our analysis in the coming weeks will take account of how that requirement might be met, whilst respecting the GAA’s objective of having shared use of the Stadium in the medium term.
We point out that the Tallaght Stadium issue is one, which the GAA considers completely separate to its development plans for Rathcoole. Recent developments in relation to the Rathcoole site are set to accelerate its development by the GAA as a Centre of Excellence for the development of underage and adult teams on the Southside. There have never been any plans to develop a stadium at Rathcoole. Use of Tallaght Stadium, on the other hand, serves the GAA’s ambition to have a suitable venue available to facilitate and promote inter-county games at all levels on the south side of Dublin.
Christopher O’Donnell John Costello
Chairman Dublin GAA Board
Thomas Davis GAA Club