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Statement: 'The GAA does not take a position on either elections or referenda'

The GAA has issued a statement reaffirming its position in not getting involved in any political ...



Statement: 'The GAA does n...
Football

Statement: 'The GAA does not take a position on either elections or referenda'

The GAA has issued a statement reaffirming its position in not getting involved in any political activity.

It comes after a weekend which saw campaigns launched arguing both sides of the eighth amendment by players and a manager.

"The GAA is a non-party organisation whose individual members may, of course, decide to take positions on political issues in accordance with their own personal views and commitments," read the statement released this afternoon.

"As an Association, however, the GAA does not take a position, or comment in any way, on either elections or referenda."

Eamon McGee, an All-Ireland winner with Donegal in 2012, spoke at the launch of the Donegal Together for Yes campaign but emphasised that he did so in a private capacity.

Separately on Saturday, a group calling itself GAA Athletes for a No Vote launched their campaign at Ballyfermot Sport and Fitness Centre.

The group included Tyrone senior football manager Mickey Harte, Joe Sheridan of Meath, Patrick Gallagher of Antrim, Aofie Cassidy of Derry and AnneMarie McDonagh of Galway.

That prompted the De La Salle GAA club based in Ballyfermot and close to the centre to issue a statement of their own to distance themselves from the event.

"It would be wholly inappropriate for the Club to be associated with the launch as the GAA and its clubs do not become involved in political matters.

"No GAA and/or Club facilities are being used for today's launch."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/uiGgvoxr1b">pic.twitter.com/uiGgvoxr1b</a></p>&mdash; Ballyfermot DLS GAA (@BallyfermotDLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallyfermotDLS/status/987732535533867008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It is understood that the GAA has written to the secretaries of all 32 county boards reminding them that the organisation should have no political involvement.

 

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