500 attend black tie dinner with Tyson

Over 500 people attended a black tie dinner with former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in Dublin's Burlington hotel last night. The boxer was on his first visit to Ireland.

Ticket prices at the commercial event, which was organised by UK company Ray Fisher Promotions, ranged from €200 to €400 a head.

Those on higher-priced tickets were able to meet the boxer at a separate reception in the hotel earlier.

Tyson was due to be interviewed after the dinner by sports commentator Jimmy Magee, who said beforehand he would not be bringing up the Desiree Washington rape case "by my order". He felt that Tyson "has done his time. That's it."

Also in attendance was the boxer's former sparing partner and former Irish super-heavyweight and heavyweight champion Joe Egan from Ringsend, Dublin, who Tyson once described as "the toughest white man on the planet".

Up and coming boxers Bernard Dunne and Jim Rock were also there, as was former world super-middleweight champion Steve Collins and former manager of the Kerry football team Paudie O'Shea. O'Shea said he had "a general interest in all sports; Tyson, Ali and all the great boxers".

Earlier yesterday Tyson visited Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin having also tried to visit Temple Street children's hospital. He was refused permission to visit there as the hospital authorities said parental consent would have to be secured first.