No Bloody Sunday ceremony at Croker

THERE are no plans by the Irish or British governments for a ceremonial gesture to mark Bloody Sunday before the Six Nations rugby international between Ireland and England on February 24, it was confirmed yesterday.

Speculation had mounted that Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain might take part in an event to mark the November 21, 1920 atrocity at Croke Park.

A British government spokesman said yesterday: “There is no ceremonial gesture being considered by the Irish and British governments in the context of the forthcoming Six Nations international between Ireland and England at Croke Park.”