The 32-year-old pulled out of the show in nationalist West Belfast because, she claims, the organisers asked her not to raise the issue of punishment beatings by paramilitary groups.

She had been due to sing at Feile an Phobail - The People's Festival - on 6 August, following an invitation from writer and former Sinn Fein press director, Danny Morrisson.

The singer said: "I am sure my fans will understand my actions, as they know me well by now - certainly better than Feile an Phobail.

"This is the festival committee's fault - not mine. Wrong is wrong.

"And there are no excuses for violence, none whatsoever, whatever anyone says."

Organisers said tickets had been selling very well, but festival director Caitriona Ruane insisted: "At no time did we say that she could not speak about any issue."

Ruane added she felt that the concert might not have been the most ideal platform for political statements. "If she had written a song about the issue, it would have been great," she said.

Concerns were expressed, however, that recent publicity about the singer regarding the concert would have provoked trouble in the audience.

Organisers are still hopeful O'Connor will reconsider her decision. They have written to her outlining their concerns that she does not understand the complexity of the punishment beatings issue.

Omagh benefit album

Last November O'Connor featured on an all-star album to raise funds for those caught in the Omagh bomb blast.

Across The Bridge Of Hope was the Irish music world's response to the most devastating terrorist attack in 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Proceeds went to a fund aiding victims of the tragedy and their relatives.

In April, she caused uproar when she announced she had become a Roman Catholic priest.

She became Mother Bernadette Mary at a ceremony staged by the breakaway Latin Tridentine church in Lourdes.