Statement in full from the GAA

“IN the last 15 years since GAA Congress removed Rule 21 that had been in place for more than a century, the GAA has worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to promote a range of initiatives to benefit all of the community. In this time, many GAA members have joined the PSNI with advertisements for PSNI recruitment carried in GAA publications, including All-Ireland Finals match programmes.

The GAA has a long standing and publicly stated policy of opposition to violence. Peadar Heffron joined the PSNI shortly after it was formed and he suffered horrific injuries in an attack in 2010. It is difficult to understand how anybody could attack a fellow human being in this way.

Through its Community Engagement and Outreach Programmes, the GAA has also worked with Peadar and other members of the PSNI in developing better relationships for all in our society.

In recent weeks an International Police Gaelic Football Tournament involving four Police teams, namely An Garda Siochana, London Metropolitan Police, New York Police Department, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland was held in Belfast.

This would not have been possible some years ago, which reflects the positive ongoing efforts of the GAA and PSNI.

Ulster GAA and the Police Service of Northern Ireland continue to work closely together for the benefit of the community.

This work includes awareness briefings to educate Officers on the vital role of the GAA in local communities, outreach programmes to engage all sections of the community, a range of health initiatives as well as Child Safeguarding policies and procedures.”