We live in exciting times. At an exhibition opening in the Dublin Dental Hospital at Lincoln Place this week, two burglars steal upstairs to search for money and drugs. As the guests sip wine and listen to the speeches downstairs however, the men are caught mid-caper.
But before they flee, one of the cheeky devils, lifting his upper lip to reveal a yellowing incisor, asks the security man if "you could have a look at me tooth". "It could only happen in Dublin," says an amused Prof Derry Shanley, dean of the school, afterwards. All the action upstairs goes over the heads of those attending the opening of an exhibition No More Child Soldiers, which was organised by Concern and the group known as VOICE for Voluntary Organisations in Co-operation in Emergencies. It is hoped the photographs will highlight the worldwide problem of 300,000 child soldiers.
Liz O'Donnell TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, performed the official opening. Gerry Gregg, film producer and director, who won an Emmy for his programme about the survivors of an attack in southern Kosovo, is intrigued by many of the photographs. Maurice O'Connell, governor of the Central Bank is here to see the photographs with his daughter, Catherine O'Connell.
Also taking a rest and enjoying the event are two Concern fund-raisers, who are chewing cocktail sausages and having a chat - Ita Mullany and Kay Carrigan. And all the while Prof Shanley and his wife, Orna Shanley, smile fondly at their daughter, broadcaster Keelin Shanley, who is to marry Conor Ferguson, a writer in the advertising world. The wedding will take place this day week. Go neiri an bothar leo.