The parties in dispute

The gig promoters MCD and Aiken Promotions.

The gig promoters MCD and Aiken Promotions.

A spokesman for the Rolling Stones' label in Ireland, Virgin/EMI, yesterday said he had "no idea" if a replacement concert would be planned for Ireland.

He said the label had yet to be officially informed about the cancellation.

The band's website made no reference to the cancellation of the Irish date, which formed part of the worldwide "A Bigger Bang" tour. Attempts to contact the band's representatives in the UK were unsuccessful.

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No tickets for the proposed event have been sold and Peter Aiken, of Aiken Promotions, refused to comment on the matter.

However, rival promoter MCD, which had taken the High Court case, issued a statement yesterday saying it was "not attempting to prevent any other competing party or any other event from taking place.

This case was taken purely to highlight the irregular procedures and inconsistencies by the Office of Public Works in its procurement process in the awarding of a public tender for the commercial use of Phoenix Park".

The OPW also declined to comment on the cancellation of the concert. A spokeswoman said this was because the court case was ongoing

Of all the touring bands in the world, there are only a handful - among them U2 - which are virtually guaranteed to sell out large venues such as the Phoenix Park.

In this context, the Irish contract to promote the Rolling Stones is one which would be much coveted by both Aiken Promotions and the larger MCD. The companies are intense rivals, and promote the vast majority of major acts who play here.

John Downes