Page Three girl to hot up Trinity debate

A PAGE THREE model added a splash of colour yesterday to the stony grey halls of Trinity College Dublin, kicking off the university’s Freshers’ Week with style and glamour.

Signing autographs and looking every inch a pin-up, London model Hayley-Marie Coppin swept through the imposing entrance to Ireland’s most prestigious university, declaring: “It’s a great thrill to be here”.

Ms Coppin is in Dublin to chair a debate on pornography at Trinity tomorrow night. Her 32-24-34 figure will bring a frisson of excitement to the normally sober proceedings of the world’s oldest undergraduate society.

“I think she will have little difficulty attracting a large audience,” said the society’s secretary Patrick Cosgrave. He made no secret of the fact that inviting Ms Coppin was an attempt to gain publicity. The society is paying for the model’s expenses during her three-day visit to Dublin. “We are covering her accommodation and travel which should cost €1,000 or more. It is a way of attracting attention for the society,” he said.

That is something the Philosoph, as it is fondly known, has always been good at. Last year U2’s The Edge chaired the opening debate.

Accompanied by boyfriend Tony Clement, last night Ms Coppin was at Trinity to host Singled Out, a game show in the style of Blind Date.

Tomorrow evening she will chair the society’s opening debate which will consider whether pornography is killing romance. Before coming to Dublin Ms Coppin said she hoped to meet the provost of Trinity, Professor John Hegarty. However, Mr Cosgrave says the society does not know if he will attend the debate.

The Philosophical Society first invited rival model Felicia Fox to this year’s Fresher’s meeting, but she pulled out due to modelling commitments.