Come out Ye Black and Tans tops iTunes charts in Ireland; Wolfe Tones to donate proceeds to charity
The rebel song 'Come out Ye Black and Tans' by The Wolfe Tones has hit the top of the iTunes charts in both the UK and Ireland.
It comes after the Government was forced to postpone a commemoration ceremony for the Royal Irish Constabulary in Dublin Castle.
The plan faced a major public backlash due to the RICs association with the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries during the War of Independence.
The band have since announced that they will be donating proceeds from the single to charity.
"We will be donating the proceeds of the success you made by downloading “Come out ye Black and Tans” to the Peter McVerry Trust who do great work to aid the homeless," read a statement on the band's Twitter page.
The Wolfe Tones thank you for your support of the campaign to stop the RIC/Black n Tans commemoration. We will be donating the proceeds of the success you made by downloading “Come out ye Black and Tans” to the Peter McVerry Trust who do great work to aid the homeless, Brian W. pic.twitter.com/qITpAAxsr0
— The Wolfe Tones 🇮🇪 (@wolfetones) January 9, 2020
The Government says it still wants to go ahead with the ceremony in the months ahead.
Before the planned commemoration was abandoned, a number of mayors had said they
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Dublin City Council also voted to boycott the event.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the State created "unnecessary controversy" with its announcement, while the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended it, saying it is “not a celebration” and that “all traditions” should be respected.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said in a statement that the “disappointing response” to the planned event means it can no longer go ahead in an atmosphere that meets the goals of the overall programme of commemoration.
He said the Government has at all times sought to have a national programme of commemorations that is authentic, sensitive and inclusive.
