‘Hotel Croker’ gets go ahead for 2005
Work will start on the project immediately and it is projected that it will be completed by April 2005.
Mr Kelly stated that this hotel would be the catalyst in the regeneration of the North Inner City Area and would be a major boost to Dublin Tourism and its support infrastructure. He said that it would further enhance the services provided in Croke Park and the world-class status of the stadium.
Meanwhile racist taunts of players in club games in Cork and Dublin were condemned yesterday by former GAA President Joe McDonagh, who steps down at the end of the month as Chairman of the National Anti-Racism Awareness programme.
He said it was disappointing to hear of these happenings, commenting: "Racial taunts or any racial abuse have no place in any sport. And obviously, as a former President of the Association, it's particularly disappointing to hear of such behaviour in our games."
Mr McDonagh, chairman of the programme known as 'No Racism' said the reports were all the more regrettable as the GAA had set up a partnership with all the sporting organisations. "This involved signing up to a sporting charter which included prohibition of racial taunts and other such racial behaviour," he explained.
Agreeing that the potential for this behaviour had increased as a result of Ireland becoming a multi-cultural society, he added: "that's why we became involved in this partnership with all the sporting organisations in the country."
"It recognises the tremendous vehicle and the opportunity that sports present us towards a greater appreciation of each other, promoting mutual respect and doing that in the context of sport where all people participate to enjoy.
*Mr McDonagh was speaking as the guest of honour at the presentation of the AIB-sponsored Munster Council awards for 2003.
