U2 will not play an Irish concert this year. The band's manager, Mr Paul McGuinness, said yesterday that reports suggesting the band would play a free concert when they received the freedom of Dublin were incorrect.
He said the band would not play "a homecoming concert" in Slane, Co Meath, this year either. They were working on an album and did not expect to tour until
next year. An announcement would be made about the date and location of the ceremony at which the band would be awarded the freedom of the city.
It had been suggested last month that a concert would take place in Smithfield Civic Square on March 19th. Last month the Lord Mayor, Ms Mary Freehill, said she was "thrilled" that U2 were "prepared to do a short concert". She was unavailable for comment last night.
