Orangeman slams unionists after GAA’s Casement Park gets extra £20m - says Sinn Fein delivers for its community ‘no matter what’

nding Lewis Singleton, a solicitor based in Dromore, Co Down, made the comments after Sinn Fein MLA and Stormont Finance Minister Conor Murphy announced a major increase in funding for Belfast GAA stadium Casement Park this week.

“I note that Conor Murphy, in the middle of the pandemic and despite saying that he had no money to aid economic recovery, has been able to find £20 million to start the Casement Park project,” he said, emphasising that he was speaking only as an individual Orangeman.

“In addition a Stormont ‘source’ has advised me that all of the extra £40+ million will be found by the taxpayer with no extra GAA contribution as it is a ‘signature project’.”

Mr Singleton noted that he has been working in Orange hall community development for over 20 years.

“I have to say I can only look on with admiration as to how Sinn Fein continually deliver for their community whether it be the GAA or Irish language sector and so on. No matter what, regardless of other circumstances, they deliver.

“Contrast that with the absolute lack of interest unionist parties have in their core voters, particularly the Orange hall sector. The £20m Casement Park is to receive would easily refurbish most of the rural halls which require modification. As someone who continually tries to fight this corner I can honestly say that in some 20 years I have yet to receive so much as a phone call from any unionist representative asking what we need on the ground.”

He added: “People like myself see our tradition deprived of modern resources by our own politicians who will pay any price to the Irish nationalist identity to keep the Stormont show on the road while at the same time making no effort to improve the lot of a core vote they take for granted.”

He said that the New Decade New Approach deal includes major concessions for Casement Park and the Irish language but very little for his community.  

“Any issues for us are very vague by comparison and relegated to the annexes.  

“There is a fundamentally different approach as to how Sinn Fein and unionism – mainly the DUP – have engaged on the issues.”

According to a recent Assembly question by TUV leader Jim Allister, the funding stream from the Department of Communities to GAA over the past three years was almost £2.5m. The Department of Education said that it provided £27m to support Irish-medium education last year.

Mr Singleton added: “I am not for a second suggesting that any funding should be taken away from the GAA or Irish language.  It’s the lack of strategic provision for our halls and the work within them that is the most annoying thing.”

The Department of Finance responded that its draft budget for the year ahead was published on January 18 and agreed by the Stormont Executive.  

“The department would encourage everyone to get involved and have their say in the consultation which will close on February 25.”

Sinn Fein, the DUP and UUP were invited to comment.

A DUP spokesman said: “As many of our elected representatives are members of the Loyal Orders, there is regular engagement with all the Loyal Orders. Lewis may be misinformed.

“DUP representatives have worked with individual lodges and Districts as well as at a leadership level to deliver signature projects such as the museums in Loughgall, Londonderry and Belfast alongside numerous sporting facilities and improvements to halls across every part of Northern Ireland.

“It was DUP pressure which delivered the de-rating of all Orange Halls which has saved the Institution millions of pounds. We also changed the rules for how compensation was drawn down when Orange Halls were attacked. We have worked with marching bands and were instrumental in delivering an £850k programme to support bands which is currently in operation.

“The New Decade, New Approach document has already overseen the appointment of Northern Ireland’s first Veterans Commissioner and will ensure the Armed Forces Covenant will apply equally to all parts of the United Kingdom. Many members of the Loyal Orders have served in our Armed Forces and these will be of importance to them. Furthermore, the appointment of an Ulster-British Commissioner will ensure the voice of the Loyal Orders as a key stakeholder in our society can be raised at the highest level.

“We will continue to liaise with official structures of the GOLI and other groupings as we work to deliver a better NI for all.”

Mr Singleton said that the derating of Orange Halls had been achieved primarily after many years of lobbying by senior Orangeman, the late Drew Nelson.

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