The FAI have lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala over some of the conditions laid down by South Dublin County Council in their recent decision to grant planning permission for proposed 45,000 seat stadium at Citywest near Dublin. The board have received two other objections, from the Defence Forces and local residents' group, the Westbrook Arena Steering Committee, both listing safety factors as their main reason for opposing the council's decision. Although no one from the board of the association's holding company, Centime Ltd, was available to comment on their appeal last night, it is believed that a requirement that the association contribute heavily to road improvements in the area around the development is the main point of concern. Such a contribution would be likely to run into many millions of pounds.

The restrictive conditions relating to the "park and ride" facilities for major events at Eircom Park have also caused alarm within Merrion Square over the past month and these may also be a factor in the appeal. A spokesman for An Bord Pleanala said that the content or validity of the appeals received would not be assessed before Monday.

The Defence Forces press officer, John Nolan, meanwhile, confirmed that an appeal had been hand-delivered to the board by lunchtime yesterday and that the organisation remained steadfast in its opposition to the development of the stadium.

"We have outlined our concerns in relation to safety and the height of the stadium in our submission," said Nolan, who said he is unsure how long the appeal process is likely to take.

ST Francis have appointed John Noonan as caretaker-manager following the resignation of Jimmy Harte on Thursday.