GAA want distance from General Election:

Theatre of History:  Croke Park

          The Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, has warned clubs across the country to avoid participating in any party political events in the run up to the General Election.

           The GAA and party politics have always had a close association, with a recent book entitled “Dáil Stars”, by Conor McMorrow, detailing the close links between the Association and the Dail.

           Sean Kelly, the GAA’s former president, is currently a serving Fine Gael MEP while Louth football manager Peter Fitzpatrick and former Carlow County Board chairman Pat Deering are both running in this month’s election.

           However the GAA have now warned that the Association must have no involvement in any political functions over the next three weeks.

           In a letter sent to County Board secretaries across the country this afternoon, Director General Duffy said, “With an election coming up, it may be worth reminding clubs that they cannot allow their premises to be used for party political purposes.

          “The relevant section of a policy in this respect as approved by Ard Chomhairle last

Uachtarán Cumann Lúthcleas Gael:  Paraic Duffy

year reads: ‘The GAA does not permit use of its grounds or ancillary facilities for party political purposes or for other purposes that are clearly politically motivated or linked to a politically motivated group.’”