Resident group denies claims

News: The Croke Park Area Residents' Alliance (CPARA) have denied claims they reneged on an agreement with the GAA over this summer's three concerts at the stadium.

The residents' alliance refused to withdraw an objection to Croke Park extending the concerts for an additional hour, to 11pm. In response, stadium director Peter McKenna stated the GAA's intention to no longer deal with the CPARA. He made it clear last Sunday the CPARA request for 1,600 tickets for each soccer and rugby international at Croke Park next year forced the association's hand.

The CPARA counter this assertion by claiming an agreement is in place since 1998 and updated in 2003 for free tickets for all non-GAA events.

"At no time did the agreement state that the free tickets and financial contributions to the CPARA from non-GAA events would be conditional on the CPARA withdrawing objections to Croke Park planning applications," read a CPARA statement.

"However, the GAA/Croke Park are now setting this condition and are using bully-boy tactics to coerce the CPARA to accept something that will further erode the quality of life of local residents."

CPRAR chairman Pat Gates added: "We live in this community, we are attempting to do the best for our families and protect the quality of life for this community.

"We have no choice. We live here and we want to stay here and we will not be forced out by the GAA's tactics."

Gates also noted the 250 tickets made available by the GAA for each All-Ireland semi-final and final are not free. He was also keen for negotiations to reopen with independent negotiator Finbar Flood but McKenna stated such a development was unlikely, and now intends to distribute tickets for future events through a separate community forum.

The Camogie Association will today announce at Croke Park a commercial sponsor for the All-Ireland senior camogie championship, for the first time in its 75-year history.