The GAA has denied claims that it is trying to shut down a 30-year-old community centre and handball club based in Dublin's Croke Park.
GAA spokesman Danny Lynch confirmed that the association opposed the renewal of a drinks licence for the Irish Handball Centre Social Club and Bar.
However, he said, it did so on the grounds that renewal would have led to the disposal of spectator areas for the handball courts, thereby "eroding the raison d'etre" of the centre.
Dublin District Court rejected an application for the renewal of the licence last week amid concerns over the centre's compliance with fire safety standards.
The operators of the centre had proposed to withdraw spectator facilities to allow the necessary safety works to be completed.
However, the club's parent body, the Irish Handball Council (IHC), failed to give an undertaking to the court in support of this application.
The Croke Park Street Committees Association, which represents members and supporters of the centre, accused the GAA - which governs the IHC - of wanting to get its "greedy hands on our centre". The community group, which held a public meeting on the issue last night, claimed the GAA had also undermined efforts to find alternative means of meeting fire safety requirements.
Eamon O'Brien, vice-chairman of the group, added the GAA had obstructed its attempts to spend €150,000 in National Lottery funding on refurbishing the centre, located off St Joseph's Avenue, under Hill 16. But Mr Lynch said: "The GAA has done nothing whatsoever to suggest the club is closing down. They have the same access and same use to the premises.
"The only thing at issue is that, because of a decision by the courts, the bar element of the centre has been taken out of the equation."
