GAA Ground's 'Use By SF' Slammed

There's a row developing over the use of a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) ground to host a Sinn Féin-sponsored event.

The SDLP Deputy Leader Alasdair McDonnell has called on the GAA to investigate why Sinn Féin was allowed to use its facilities to stage the hunger strike commemoration rally.

He raised the issue when he met with senior GAA executives in Dublin on Wednesday.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was the main speaker at the hunger strike commemoration.

Today, the Stormont Sorts Minister Nelson McCausland (pictured) has also expressed serious concerns about what he said are "images currently being circulated on the internet depicting scenes of paramilitary display at the hunger strike commemoration event held at Galbally on Sunday 16 August".

The DUP Minister commented: "I understand that the GAA grounds were used for part of this event and I am sure that many senior figures in the GAA will be as horrified as I am that a sports ground was used for this type of activity.

"I would encourage the GAA to carry out a full investigation into the activities of 16 August at Galbally and to make a full statement as soon as possible."

"Sport has tremendous potential to bring communities together and to contribute to a shared and better future," he insisted.

"This is an aspiration to which the vast majority of the population here subscribe. The events in Galbally have been deeply divisive and do nothing to promote harmony in our community."

However, Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff told the BBC today that the photos were not taken on GAA grounds.

"He is talking about a series of role plays involving actors on roads in Co Tyrone on Sunday last," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)