Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and a special adviser watched tennis matches at Roland Garros during the Paris Olympics the week after turning down an invite from the GAA to watch the All-Ireland Final in Dublin.
An invitation by the GAA to Mr Lyons to attend the showpiece event last month in Croke Park was declined, with the Department for Communities citing “pre-existing diary commitments”.
However, it can be revealed that the trip to Roland Garros came as part of a four-day trip by the Communities Minister to the Olympic Games – while the majority of athletes from Northern Ireland had finished competing. No athletes from the north participated in any tennis events.
A Freedom of Information request from the Irish News for details of the Paris trip for Mr Lyons showed he attended a number of events, including showjumping, golf and rowing.
Mr Lyons also attended a number of meetings during the visit, including with Lord Sebastian Coe and Prince Sufri Bolkiah of Brunei.
The total cost of the four-day trip was recorded as £1,200.
However just seven days before departing for Paris, the minister in charge of sports, was unavailable to attend as the Armagh team prepared for the showpiece event in Croke Park.
It’s understood Mr Lyons is yet to attend a single GAA match since taking up the ministerial post six months ago.
GAA President and Armagh school teacher Jarlath Burns attended a Northern Ireland soccer match at Windsor Park in February alongside First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
A spokesperson for the GAA confirmed it had sent the invitation to the Communities Minister ahead of the final in Dublin, however the sporting body was advised by Mr Lyons’ office he was “unavailable to attend”.
A Department for Communities spokesperson said Mr Lyons’ non-attendance at Croke Park was due to “pre-existing diary commitments”.
“An invitation was received on 23 July 2024 from GAA to attend the All-Ireland Football Final and a response issued on 24 July 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“Due to pre-existing diary commitments the Minister was unable to attend the match and the Department was represented by the Permanent Secretary.”
Armagh emerged victorious in the final, defeating Galway by a single point to claim their second ever All-Ireland title.
GAA President Burns has previously expressed frustration around the lack of progress with the redevelopment of the derelict Casement Park in West Belfast, with time running out for funding to be found for the project ahead of Euro 2028 – where it is earmarked to host five games.
Communities Minister Lyons has said he is “awaiting further clarity” on a funding pledge from the UK government to make up a shortfall in the financing of the development.