Euro 2028: Dublin 'happy' to give money for Casement Park redevelopment

An artist's impression of the proposed stadium which would have a capacity of 34,500

The Irish government is "happy to assist financially" in redeveloping Casement Park in time for Euro 2028, Leo Varadkar has said.

The taoiseach (Irish prime minister) was speaking after it emerged the UK and Ireland would host the tournament due to their bid being unopposed.

The currently-derelict stadium was included in the bid as Northern Ireland's only host venue.

It was first earmarked for redevelopment more than a decade ago.

But plans for a new stadium have been delayed amid resident objections and planning permission issues.

The redevelopment will cost at least £110m but it is thought the final figure could end up higher.

Speaking after meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday, Mr Varadkar said he had highlighted the issue during their talks.

In an interview with BBC News NI in May, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris indicated the UK government was prepared to consider making a financial contribution to the project.

Why has Casement Park's redevelopment taken so long?

Casement Park was the home of Antrim GAA but has not been in use since 2013.

Initial plans for a new 38,000-seat stadium were opposed by nearby residents, who asked the High Court to overturn the granting of planning permission, claiming the proposed development was simply too big for the area, would block out light, and make traffic congestion worse.

• Will controversial Casement Park be ready for Euro 2028?

The original estimated £77m necessary for the project was made up of £15m from the GAA and £62m from the Stormont executive.

After the High Court ruling, fresh plans were put forward with a smaller capacity and the infrastructure minister at the time, Nichola Mallon, signed off on the new plans in 2020.

Casement Park has not been in use for 10 years

But in the intervening period, costs for the project increased.

Ms Mallon said Stormont should meet the increased costs, while the first minister at the time, Paul Givan, said it would be unwise for Stormont to commit before final costs were known.

Since February 2022 there has been no devolved government at Stormont due to a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) boycott, creating uncertainty over who will pay for the project.

In the meantime, the stadium became part of the UK and Ireland's bid for the Euro 2028, as no other existing stadiums in Northern Ireland meet the tournament's 30,000-capacity requirement.

The UK/Ireland bid for the European Football Championship features 10 grounds including Casement Park

Casement Park timeline

• 2013 - Planning permission for 38,000 capacity stadium

• 2014 - Planning approval quashed

• 2015 - Review of how project was handled

• 2017 - Application for smaller 34,500 capacity stadium

• 2020 - Infrastructure minister backs planning approval

• 2021 - Planning approval confirmed

• 2022 - Residents' group loses challenge against plans

• 2023 - Joint UK and Ireland bid for Euros 2028 with Casement as potential venue