12:48pm Saturday 4th September 2010
SHOES and eggs were pelted at Tony Blair today as he attended his first book signing in the Irish Republic.
The missiles, which were thrown by anti-war protesters, did not hit the former prime minister as he arrived at a bookshop in Dublin.
Activists clashed with Gardai as they tried to push down a security barrier outside the Eason store on O'Connell Street.
Shops in the area also closed, with Pennys department store pulling down its shutters as scuffles broke out.
It is the first book signing since the former Sedgefield MP's memoirs were released this week.
The book, A Journey, tells of his life in politics and has become one of the fastest selling autobiographies on record.
Mr Blair, who gave his first live television interview to Irish state broadcaster RTE last night, was expected to spend about an hour at the store.
Mr Blair said last night the Northern Ireland peace process was one of the few moments in politics that he felt really proud.
Now the Middle East peace envoy, he described watching former Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness sitting together publicly for the first time.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/