Thomas Davis granted Rovers Stadium judicial review

Thomas Davis granted judicial review in Tallaght case
March 30, 2007
Irish Soccer website
Dublin GAA club Thomas Davis has been granted a judicial review to challenge the development of the proposed Tallaght Stadium as a soccer-only stadium at the High Court on Friday morning.
Thomas Davis had protested against the decision of Sports Minister John O’Donoghue and South Dublin County Council to construct the stadium as a home for eircom League club Shamrock Rovers. The restricted dimensions of the playing surface at the stadium are not amenable to Gaelic games – but Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill decreed on Friday morning that the club deserved a judicial review of the stadium process. Another hearing will take place on April 20th to decide upon the timeframe for the judicial review. The only certainty at this stage is that work on the new stadium will once more be delayed, with apparently no end to the dispute in sight.

And a timetable of events from the Irish Independent website:

Feb 1997: South Dublin County Council (SDCC) assigns 13 acres, later increased to 18 acres, in Tallaght to Shamrock Rovers to enable the club build a stadium.
Oct 2000: Works finally begins after planning delays. Over next 12 months works to value of €3.6m undertaken.
Nov 2001: Work grinds to a halt. Contractor owed substantial debts. No work carried out since then.
2003: Thomas Davis GAA club and SDCC negotiate a non-binding agreement with Shamrock Rovers to jointly develop the stadium. This eventually collapses.
2004: Due to lack of progress SDCC refuses to extend planning and repossesses site with view to completing project as a municipal stadium. Cost put at €17.5m.
2005: Thomas Davis and Dublin County Board seek to be accommodated given that the stadium is being financed totally by Government funds. Local councilors unanimously back this proposal, supported also by Shamrock Rovers.
Feb 2006: Minister O'Doboghue writes to SDCC to insist funding will only be available for a soccer facility. Local council reverses original decision.
March 2007: Thomas Davis take High Court action seeking permission to appeal SDCC decision.

FAI to "support" Shamrock Rovers court case: Website

The Football Association of Ireland has pledged financial assistance for the Shamrock Rovers High Court case involving Tallaght GAA club Thomas Davis, according to the soccer club's website.

The Thomas Davis Club is seeking a Judicial Review of the South Dublin County Council decision last February to proceed with the completion of the Stadium in Tallaght as a football only facility.

According to the report, FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney, is quoted as saying:

“This week, the Board of the Association pledged significant funds to [Shamrock Rovers] in order to aid them in the most practical manner as they continue to pursue the goal of completion of Tallaght. These funds will be offset against the legal fees Rovers face as the High Court case continues. Obviously, we wish the club every success in this matter.”

On 14th December, the High Court determined that the hearing of the case would take place on March 16th next.

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