Laois GAA coach's helicopter flight to Wexford provided by 'former SDLP backer'

A former SDLP supporter deeply involved in the GAA provided the helicopter to bring the Laois GAA coach to Wexford when his party told him to be in Stormont.

So reports the Belfast Telegraph after speaking to a source close to Justin McNulty about what transpired at the first sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly on Saturday, February 4.

Mr McNulty attended the sitting to see the election of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister but had departed for Wexford by the time his Assembly Party Leader was nominated as leader of the opposition in Stormont.  

The source told the Belfast Telegraph that, after Mr McNulty left Stormont, he went to Newtownards Airport where he took a helicopter to reach Wexford in time for the 6pm Laois Division 4 League game versus Wexford.

The source said the helicopter was provided by “a former SDLP backer with deep links to the GAA”.

The source and friend of Mr McNulty’s claimed the SDLP had made him offers to step down as an MLA if he wished to pursue his coaching duties with Laois which he took up last October.

It was also reported that Mr McNulty is taking legal advice on the party leadership’s decision to remove the whip for attending the game in Wexford which Laois won.

Meanwhile, Garda HQ in Dublin has declined to comment on a claim that a Garda escort was given to Mr McNulty's car when he arrived in Wexford.

Mr McNulty and Laois GAA have declined to comment on the situation. The SDLP's Party Leader Colum Eastwood has said that being and SDLP MLA and coaching Laois are 'not compatible' as 100% commitment is needed.

The Assembly resumes meetings on Tuesday, February 6 where Mr McNulty will sit as an independent. His next game with Laois is against Carlow in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Saturday, February 17 at 6pm.