Statement by TUV Deputy Mayor, Cllr Timothy Gaston:
“Following my comments on Monday night in closed council and all the nonsense since. I challenge Cllr Hardy and co to raise my genuine concerns with the GAA governing body.
“I’m very uncomfortable with the links between the GAA and republican terrorism. I do not feel that it’s appropriate, particularly in this time of austerity, for Council to spend ratepayers’ money supporting this organisation.
“I want to encourage healthy lifestyles and have no problem with people engaging in sport and getting exercise. My issue is with giving public money to an organisation who fail to distance themselves from terrorism, and indeed at times seem to honour this dark past.
“There are numerous examples which would make many people across our Borough feel very uncomfortable. There are clubs named after convicted terrorists, like the Kevin Lynch Hurling Club, and other clubs like Galbally Pearses in Tyrone who have given medals with a picture commemorating dead IRA men to children at an under 12s tournament.
“The GAA claim to be non-sectarian and embrace every section of the community – how can this be the case when they refuse to distance themselves from clubs which exploit the terrorist links?
“I’ve been criticised for pointing out the links between the GAA and terrorism. I call on those who are criticising me to instead raise this issue with the GAA and ask them why they continue to permit such activity within their organisation. “