Laois GAA coach and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty breaks silence

Laois GAA coach Justin McNulty has uttered his first public comment since the day he was suspended by the SDLP for managing the Laois Gaelic football team.

However, the MLA has not addressed the issue of his suspension but instead has focused on another big GAA project in Northern Ireland.

The Armagh man tweeted last Saturday looking forward to the return of Stormont on the same day as he traveled to Wexford by helicopter to manage Laois against SDLP orders. His message then was: "Let’s hope for brighter days ahead".

Let’s hope for brighter days ahead pic.twitter.com/BydSgEei2l

— Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) February 3, 2024

Mr McNulty has declined to make any comment on his suspension from the SDLP. He opted not to take questions from sports reporters on the Laois performance on Saturday. 

He broke his silence on the first normal day of the Assembly sitting with a tweet on the future of the long-delayed rebuild of Casement Park GAA grounds in Belfast. The stadium is a venue for the 2028 European soccer championships. Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill identified its construction as a priority when she was elected as First Minister in Stormont.

Mr McNulty posted: "Let's build Casement Park". 

️ Let’s build @CasementPark pic.twitter.com/JYvs9KCSBY

— Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) February 6, 2024

The MLA for Newry and Armagh also tabled a question to the North's Minister for Communities asking for an update on it's redevelopment and if it would be ready for the Ulster Gaelic Football Final in 2027.

Mr McNulty has declined to comment on his future role as an MLA under suspension or if he intends to continue in that role or with  Laois GAA  which has also declined to comment on the controversy.

The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said the two roles are 'not compatible'.