Killarney Rugby club was 'not promised funding’

The Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport has denied making promises of financial support to a rugby club.

A department spokesman yesterday said an initial application by Killarney Rugby Club for sports capital funding under the local programme was never presented to the minister for consideration of grant aid.

The club was not selected for funding under the regional scheme which was adjudicated on subsequently, the spokesman added.

Between €200,000 and €300,000 was sought by the club which is currently undertaking a €1.1m grounds development.

The club has claimed the department admitted making a “mistake” in processing the application, but the department is insisting it acted in a “fair and scrupulous manner”.

Killarney RFC development officer Liam McGuire said the club had already spent more than €600,000 on its new grounds, in Aghadoe, but a further €500,000 was needed.

“We’ve been promised funding and have been let down on each occasion, so far,” he said.

However, the department spokesman said no promises had been made to the club by the minister, or anyone acting on his behalf, and the club should now accept its application was unsuccessful.

He added the club was entitled to apply for funding under the next round of the sports capital programme.

He pointed out €229m had been sought for projects under the last programme, but only €31m was available.

‘This meant that a large number of valid applications for funding, approximately 500, were not successful,’’ the spokesman said.