Pop lyrics, not controversy, at Childline gig

Popcorn, glittered hair, shiny sandals, painted toes and boyz in bandz were the main concerns of the young audience at the Point Theatre in Dublin on Saturday evening.

Anticipation of the delights promised at the 1999 Childline concert cancelled out thoughts of problems elsewhere for the ISPCC.

The concert raised £110,000 for the charity this year, £3,000 more than last year.

Among the performers playing for the ISPCC's child helpline were boy bands 911, €17, Westside and girl performers Honeyz and Kerri Ann.

Even adults in attendance were more concerned that their charges have a good time, at £18.50 for each ticket, than anything else that may be going on in the world.

"I'd say the stories are a load of rubbish,"' said Ms Tina Nevin, from Ardee, Co Louth. Supping from a glass of beer in the lobby, while the two children she had brought, Sandra (11) and Tracy (17), were in with the action. In her opinion all the money went to the benefit of children.

"The main thing is that this is a good night for the kids."

Colm Heery from Clonsilla, Dublin, was queuing to buy soft drinks. He was sure the allegations were of no concern to his three children, aged 10, 13 and 16.

"But as for the adults, we'll have to see what comes out in the investigations. To be honest, though, it's not something people are talking about."

Inside the auditorium, hosts Stephen Gately of Boyzone and former The Big Breakfast presenter Denise van Outen could hardly be heard above the screaming.

Tiny arms welcomed each band as word-for-word the youngsters yelled each chart-topping number.

At times the numerous security men gave up in their attempts to keep the kids seated, retreating instead with fingers in their ears.

One said he'd "sooner do the kiddies' concerts than any other. They're noisier, but the kids are happy just to be here and then go home. There's never any trouble."

The verdict on what really mattered?

"It was a brilliant concert," said an almost hoarse Deirdre McCann, from Swords. "It was bit short, and I wanted all of FIVE to be there, but mostly it was deadly."

And to top it all off, she and her sisters, Eimer and Aisling, were off to McDonalds for chicken nuggets and chips.