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Irish rebel song "Come Out, Ye Black and Tans" has shot to number one on the iTunes singles chart.

It comes after the Government was forced to postpone a planned commemoration of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) next month after a furious backlash.

The RIC was boycotted by the new Irish State in 1921 after it acted as the enforcement arm of the British Crown - along with the infamous Black and Tans - during the War of Independence.

And Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael came under huge criticism over the last week for their decision to hold the event, which would commemorate the RIC and the Dublin Metropolitan Police.

Several politicians had said they would not attend, amid public criticism over links it has to the Black and Tans.

And last night Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan confirmed that the commemoration had been deferred.

But it has emerged tonight that the controversy has had some unintended side effects - with the Wolfe Tones' live performance of Come Out, Ye Black and Tans rocketing to the top of the iTunes charts.

The most popular version of the ballad was recorded by the Dublin band in their 1972 album Let the People Sing.

However it is their live 2004 performance of the song that has surpassed some of the biggest names in music, including Maroon 5 and Lewis Capaldi, to reach the top of the charts.

Earlier today Taoiseach Leo Varadkar claimed the fiery backlash from the public and other politicians over the Fine Gael plans to commemorate RIC policemen had set back the cause.

Speaking to reporters at the BT Young Scientists competition, Mr Varadkar said: “There is one thing I would like to say, I’m somebody who firmly believes in a United Ireland.

(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Photo Agency)

“I believe a United Ireland is possible within my lifetime.

“But before a United Ireland can work, we’re going to have a very different State, one that recognises that there are over a million people in Ireland that recognise as British and come from a Unionist position.

“We have to understand that as a country, as an island, we have a shared history.

“That as a people, North and South, Catholic and Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist, we all have different sides, but they all fought for what they believed in.

“And people North and South, Catholic and Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist were victims of atrocities and were also involved in atrocities.

“And we need to embrace and understand that shared history if we’re going to build a United Ireland.

“It is my deep regret that this week, embracing that shared history, moving towards a United Ireland seems to me to be that little bit further away than it was before."