Deliberations over Casement were a pantomine - GAA

The past year of deliberations around Casement Park have been a pantomime, GAA president Jarleth Burns has said.

On Friday, the UK government announced it would not fund the redevelopment of the west Belfast stadium in time for the Euro 2028 football tournament.

It said the estimated cost had "risen dramatically" from £180m to more than £400m.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, Mr Burns said Ulster GAA "were coming in with a completely different set of figures".

"I just feel that was unfair to come out with that figure of £400m because that certainly didn’t align with any of the figures that we have had from our management consultants, who are stadia experts," he said.

Mr Burns also confirmed the GAA did not plan on providing more funding now that the stadium would not be built in time to host the Euros.

"The allocation that we have at the moment is £58m. That’s the money that we have pledged ourselves, plus the money that we have negotiated of the Irish government," he said.

"That’s the money we are bringing to the table, and it’s very important that we are recognise that."

Stormont's Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald said she planned to seek clarification on the figure the UK government said was needed to build Casement.

“There have been a lot of figures put out about Casement and every time a figure is put out there, it is larger than before,” the minister said.

“Casement will be built,” she added. “It is an executive commitment and we need to get on and get that project delivered.”

She would not be drawn on whether Stormont’s contribution would increase.