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Liams' presidential moment

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Saturday Oct 18 2008

Liam Neeson's appearance at Ben & Jack's Steakhouse in New York recently caused such a stir that no-one noticed the Presidents of Bulgaria, Albania and Tajikistan, who were all dining together. All eyes apparently focused on the big man from Ballymena (below right) whose current action movie is called Taken.

RONNIE'S GONG

Ronnie Drew may be gone, but he's far from forgotten. Bono made the trip from Dublin to the Irish Arts Centre's annual gala benefit at the New York Athletic Club to collect an award on behalf of the recently deceased Irish folk legend. Also helping to honour the IAC's spirit were actors Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne. Others in attendance included movie-maker Terry George and philantropist Loretta Glucksman.

SIMON, YOU'RE SO VAIN

Pop diva Paula Abdul, who is a judge on American Idol alongside Simon Cowell, has been joking with the show's new judge, Kara DioGuardi, about Cowell's high self regard. "I know what to get him for Christmas," said Abdul. "What, a muzzle?" suggested Kara. "No, a pair of mirrored sunglasses, but with the mirrors on the inside!" quipped Paula. Miaow.

CILLIAN AND KEIRA'S STEAMY SCENES

While it won't be released in the US until 2009, the DVD of The Edge Of Love will be out in Ireland and the UK at the end of this month. It tells the story of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and stars Cillian Murphy, Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. And sneak previews of a steamy sex scene between Cillian and Keira have already surfaced on the net. Murphy is now a big name in the US following his performances in Red Eye, Batman Begins and The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

SILLY BANKER

RTE broadcaster Derek Mooney had to jump in with an apology after a feisty female guest used the W-word (that rhymes with banker) within seconds of appearing on his afternoon show. Poor Derek revealed that there was no delay button on the show. He also had to apologise recently for a comment he made that could have caused some listeners offence. The latest incident was particularly embarrassing, because RTE bosses had sent out a strict memo to staff regarding colourful language on air.

WHEN COLM MET BRENDAN

Actor Colm Meaney says he is sick and tired of being mistaken for fellow thespian Brendan Gleeson everywhere he goes. It all started when he, Brendan and Gabriel Byrne teamed up several years ago in the Irish movie Into the West. He said: "Everywhere I go, I get people shouting out 'Howiya Brendan'. It leaves me wondering if he gets people calling him Colm."

OVEREXPOSED GERRY

Motormouth Gerry Ryan, who with his new book and its serialisation seems dangerously over-exposed at the moment , was in sparkling form at the recent ISPCC Ball at the Four Seasons. "I'm only here for the publicity folks," he quipped. But who could tell if he was joking?