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(Áine McEntee, Irelandclick.com)

The Irish Republican Socialist Party IRSP has called on the GAA to place a "ban" on the playing of the British national anthem in Croke Park where the British killed 12 spectators in 1921.

The group's spokesperson John Murtagh spoke out against what he described as "external pressures"‚ placed upon the GAA and called on the organisation to place a 'ban' on the British national anthem from being played on "their most historical ground at Croke Park".

"The decision to create changes to the GAA's controversial Rule 42 was a decision for the entire membership of our national sports organisation to take alone," he said.

"However it must be said clearly that outside forces ensured that this wasn't going to be the case. The decision will now allow the likes of soccer and rugby to be played in Croke Park under certain circumstances."

John Murtagh said the GAA had "bowed to the external pressures and the media spin," to endorse changes to the controversial Rule 42 that prohibited foreign games at the venue.

"We have already had the sickening endorsements following the vote from both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste who openly welcome the GAA decision. Can this really be described as a good day for sport?

"It is a very sad day in the opinion of many, many republicans and for the scores of people who lost relatives in what was to become known as Bloody Sunday.

"Twelve innocent GAA spectators (were) murdered by British auxiliaries within the grounds of Croke Park on November 21, 1921. It is for that reason that we would call upon the GAA to honour the memory of those murdered by British forces by formally outlawing the British national anthem from being played before any international games at Croke Park. Maybe then many who objected to changes to Rule 42 could at least gain some comfort and honour in today's tragic decision," said the IRSP.

This article appeared first on the Irelandclick.com web site on April 22, 2005.