Last month, the Irish government signed off on a €30 million grant to the Cork County Board for the redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The stadium redevelopment will cost €70 million in total and will lift the capacity to 45,000 (in truth, only a small increase of 1,500). It is expected to be completed in advance of the 2017 Munster Finals.
Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid is also tied to the redevelopment plans. The GAA is fully in support of the bid and both a redeveloped Pairc Ui Chaoimh and a redeveloped Casement Park have been earmarked as potential stadiums.
Now, that could all be in jeopardy.
The Sunday Independent report this morning that the EU are investigating the government grant. The size of the grant has caused alarm in Brussels. There are fears that the €30 million grant could be in breach of the EU rules governing State aid.
Even if the project is okayed, the investigation will delay the process by about 12 months.
Last year, planning permission was denied for the redevelopment of Casement Park after complaints from local residents.
Casement Park (envisioned)
[Independent.ie]
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