A GAA headquarters instruction that a H-Block commemoration rally in Casement Park in west Belfast must not take place at the ground later this month is likely to be ignored, according to republican and GAA sources in Northern Ireland.
The GAA's central committee and management committee decided at the weekend that the rally on Sunday, August 13th, which is expected to draw a crowd of between 25,000 and 30,000 people, was in breach of regulations that the organisation must not be seen to endorse party-political events.
Antrim County Board chairman Dr John McSparran acknowledged the Croke Park decision but queried how "up to 30,000 people" could be forced away from the Casement Park rally, which will be addressed by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.
The central council, comprising members from all 32 counties including Antrim, which is responsible for running Casement Park at county level, and the management committee, ruled that the rally would be contrary to rule 44 (a) and rule 7 (a) of the organisation.
Rule 7 (a) states that the GAA is non-party political and prohibits its committees, clubs and councils from participating "in any party-political movement". County board or individual members breaking this rule could face a penalty of up to 24 weeks' suspension from the GAA.
Dr McSparran, who was at Saturday's central council meeting, said he was disappointed that the organisation did not take "cognisance of the particular difficulties and sensitivities that operate in the Six Counties".
"I am also disappointed that they only took this decision last Saturday when this issue was first highlighted in October," he added.
Referring to the National Hunger Strike Committee, which is organising the rally, Dr McSparran said the decision of the central council and management committee would be relayed to "the relevant body affected by this decision".
Asked would the Antrim County Board be taking specific action to prevent the rally taking place, he said: "I won't be standing at the gates of Casement Park on August 13th directing the crowd of up to 30,000 where they should or shouldn't go."
Peadar Whelan of the hunger strike committee could not be contacted by The Irish Times yesterday evening but he earlier told BBC Radio Ulster that the event was non party-political, and therefore not in breach of GAA rules.
The rally is scheduled to be addressed by Mr Adams and hosted by Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald. Also due to be present is Toireasa Ferris of Sinn Féin in Kerry, and relatives of the 10 hunger strikers who died in 1981.
A Sinn Féin spokesman said the issue was between the hunger strike committee and the GAA, although "we believe it should go ahead".
