Gerry and Bertie woo adoring audiences

CELEBRITY status always draws a crowd. Well used to being in the spotlight of the international media in Belfast, Gerry Adams held court in Dublin yesterday.

Across from the Dáil, Buswells Hotel was heaving with TV cameras and microphones as the media from Sweden to Hungary and beyond, converged on Dublin for the final forays in the Nice Treaty campaign.

As the eyes of Europe were fixed upon Ireland, continental journalists sat on the floor gazing doe-eyed up into Mr Adams face, adoringly hanging on his every word.