Demolition work has started on the grandstand at Casement Park in west Belfast. The 73-year-old structure on Andersonstown Road is being removed to clear the site. This prepares the ground for a planned new Gaelic Athletic Association stadium.

Casement Park served as the home of Antrim GAA until 2013. Matches ceased that year to allow for redevelopment preparations. The original stadium opened in June 1953 shortly after the Second World War.

Funding for the new 34,500-capacity stadium remains unsecured. GAA president Jarlath Burns estimated last year that construction would cost £260m. Ulster GAA reported in its annual update at the start of January that £170.5m has been secured so far. The group anticipates an additional allocation to reach about £220m total.

Demolition began at the start of January. Crews expect to finish in 12 weeks. The project faced planning issues initially and funding shortfalls more recently.

Sinn Féin views the redevelopment as a priority. The DUP does not share that assessment. The two largest parties in the Northern Ireland Executive disagree on its urgency.

Plans once aimed for completion in time for Gaelic games and Euro 2028 soccer matches. That timeline ended in September 2024.