Sinn Féin Councillor blasts Government for loss of World Rally event – ‘Minister Byrne needs to explain how this happened’

Kerry County Councillor for Tralee MD, Cathal Foley has described the loss of the World Rally Championship (WRC) for Ireland as a missed opportunity for the entire region.

Motorsport Ireland stated on Tuesday that Ireland is no longer being considered to host the event as the Government would need “at least six months” to undertake further independent economic assessments and analysis of its proposal. Kerry looked set benefit economically from the event as one of the service stations and a communications centre.

Cllr Foley said it is extremely disappointing for Tralee and the entire region that the WRC has lost out on hosting a stage in Kerry.

“It is ever more regretful that this has solely been down to the Department of Sport not evaluating the bid before the deadline was reached,” Cllr Foley said.

“Despite having submitted their application in October 2023, and receiving no feedback or requests for further information, the deadline has now passed and millions of euros and the prestige of hosting the event in 2025 has been lost,” he added.

Cllr Foley said Fianna Fáil Minister Thomas Byrne needed to explain how this was allowed to happen, and what is being done to try and salvage a successful bid beyond 2025.

“Without government support, bids such as these are impossible to bring to fruition. Every effort must now be made to see if the WRC can be enticed back to Tralee in future years,” Cllr Foley said.

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