THE GAA is considering an appeal to An Bord Pleanala or the High Court against a Dublin Corporation decision that its latest application for the Pounds 100 million plus redevelopment of Croke Park is invalid.
The association had sought approval to change the phasing of the scheme so that a start could be made on constructing a stand at the Canal End of Croke Park in effect, a continuation of the new Cusack Stand.
However, Mr Derek Brady, assistant city manager in charge of the planning department, deemed the proposal invalid as it did not constitute "development" under the 1963 Planning Act.
Under the permission granted to the GAA in 1992, both Dublin Corporation and An Bord Pleanala on appeal specified that the second phase of the scheme should provide seating on Hill 16 before proceeding with a stand at the Canal End.
A spokesman for Community Technical Aid, which is advising Croke Park Residents Association, said this condition had "been laid down for safety reasons "to avoid another Hillsborough stadium disaster. It was wrong of the GAA to be trying to set it aside.
"If they had succeeded in having a ruling made by An Bord Pleanala overturned by a lower authority, we would have taken legal proceedings," he said. "We still haven't been given a copy of the safety and evacuation procedures for Croke Park."
Mr Danny Lynch, spokesman for the GAA, said the corporation's decision to reject the application was being studied by their architects, Gilroy McMahon. "Among the options being considered is to contest this in the High Court or appeal to An Bord Pleanala."
The logic of insisting that the GAA first deal with Hill 16 seating seemed to be based on a "doomsday scenario" about evacuating a capacity stadium, said Mr Lynch. This would only be a consideration when the entire development was completed.
The GAA may have to make a new planning application for the remaining phases of the development. These involve continuing the Cusack Stand in a U shape around the Canal End and, eventually, the Hogan Stand. However, this would be opposed by local residents.
