Kerry's sister visits Dublin

The campaign for the US presidential election is hotting up - and not just on the other side of the Atlantic.

After a narrow finish to the contest in 2000, both Democrat and Republic campaigners believe a handful of overseas votes could swing the result on polling day, November 2nd.

Hence the visit to Dublin tonight of schoolteacher Ms Diana Kerry, sister of the Democrats' big hope, John.

Bearing a striking resemblance to her big brother, Ms Kerry will be guest of honour at a private function of Kerry supporters in Dalkey, hosted by Ms Moira Shipsey, a solicitor from Boston. The event - which includes a cocktail reception and a chance to meet the candidate's sibling, who is chairwoman of Americans Overseas for Kerry - comes at a price, however.

Attendees are asked to contribute a minimum of $250 per person, and after that anything up to $2,000 - the legal maximum under fund-raising rules.

Only US citizens are allowed to donate, and partygoers - up to 70 of whom are expected - have been asked to bring their American passports as proof of nationality.

Organisers emphasise that the event is aimed as much at voter-registration as at fund-raising, with a major drive on among both Democrats and Republicans to register every last overseas citizen possible.

Ms Rebecca Wolfe of Democrats Abroad, which is running a separate voter-registration campaign, said it had already increased its registration of US citizens in Ireland from 110 to 160 in the past 10 months.

However, with an estimated 35,000-50,000 US citizens in Ireland, there was potential for a much higher postal vote.

The organisers of tonight's event hope it will steal some of the thunder from the visit of George W. Bush to Ireland next month - at least among influential Irish-American's in Dublin.