Clinton's Dublin book signing set to be Ireland's biggest

BILL CLINTON'S book-signing in Dublin tomorrow morning could be the country's largest ever, it was claimed yesterday.

Security will be tight around Eason's flagship bookstore on O'Connell Street while the former US President autographs copies of his memoirs, My Life, for 90 minutes.

The store has reported a huge amount of public interest in the event and expects fans to be queuing overnight to meet Mr Clinton.

Eason general manager Martin Black said: "We expect it to be our biggest book-signing event ever - even bigger than David Beckham or Roy Keane."

"We've had dozens of phone calls from people around the country and we will be opening especially at 7.45am to admit the first people in the queue.

"We expect Clinton will sign up to 1,000 copies of his book."

As a security precaution ordered by Mr Clinton's US Secret Service minders, all jackets, umbrellas and bags will be taken and stored in a makeshift cloakroom in the store.

Mr Black added: "We are expecting large numbers of customers to attend this event and we hope to have as many people meet Mr Clinton as possible."

Last month, more than 3,000 people queued up for Mr Clinton's book-signing in London's Piccadilly Circus.

My Life, which was published in June, was at the top of the best seller lists for four weeks and remains within the top five.

After the signing, Mr Clinton is due to have a private meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern before he travels to Belfast on Thursday with his wife Hillary for another book-signing event.

Senator Clinton is due to deliver the annual Tip O'Neill address on peace and reconciliation at the University of Ulster in Derry on Thursday.

The Clinton's previous high-profile visit to central Dublin was in December 1995, when the then-President addressed thousands of people at College Green.

The couple also visited Omagh, Co Tyrone, following the Real IRA bomb attack in August 1998 and Dundalk town centre two years later in December 2000.

Meanwhile, rising singing star George Murphy hopes Bill Clinton can help land him a White House gig.

Both chart-toppers are expected to meet tomorrow when Mr Clinton signs copies of his autobiography. George's debut single reached number two in the Irish charts last month.

"I'll have a bit of a chat with him and tell him what I'm here for," said George.

The northside Dubliner plans to present two signed copies of his latest record - one for Mr Clinton himself and one for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who hopes to oust US President George W Bush.

George's message to Mr Kerry simply says: "Best of luck with your campaign. If you get in, can I come over and play the White House on Paddy's Day? All the best, George Murphy."

Still only 18 years old, the singer grabbed public attention with a spine-tingling version of Raglan Road on TV's You're A Star last year - awakening memories of the legendary Luke Kelly.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. We're not really sure if it's really going to happen, but it would be foolish not to give it a shot," said George of his meeting with Mr Clinton.

George's new single, The Land You Love The Best, produced by Phil Coulter, is out in two weeks.