It was the first time a senior Sinn Féin figure has taken part in such an event in Northern Ireland

Confirmation of the move came a day before Simon Harris is due to formally announce an election in Ireland and kick off three weeks of campaigning.

The Sinn Fein vice president said her participation in the ceremony was a fulfilment of her pledge to be a ‘First Minister for all’.

Leo Varadkar was joined by UK Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher laid a wreath at the Police Service and RUC GC Memorial Gardens in Belfast