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# just passing by
What was Gene Simmons from Kiss doing at Leinster House?
“I guess because of my silly hair people tend to take me to big buildings to meet important people.”
Updated: 2.50pm, 3 December
GENE SIMMONS — BASSIST and vocalist in Kiss and one of the world’s most shameless self-promoters — was in Dublin yesterday.
Photocall Ireland photographer Sam Boal captured these images of the star, as TDs went about their business inside.
Today Simmons told Ray D’Arcy he was in the Dáil as a guest of Fine Gael TD Pat Breen. The two have a mutual friend in US-based Irish businessman Billy Lawless.
Every now and then I drop into places that I find fascinating, and there’s nothing more fascinating than Ireland*, is there? I guess because of my silly hair and all the rest of the accoutrement people tend to take me to big buildings to meet important people, I have no idea why.
*adopts dodgy Irish accent
The 65-year-old frontman, who has licensed the ‘Kiss’ brand for use on everything from lunchboxes to condoms, said Leinster House was “full of wonderful people and history”.
He added he was happy to visit Dublin during a break on a two-year long tour to enjoy “good friends and nice food”.
TheJournal.ie has contacted Breen for comment, but he has not yet responded – he’s currently chairing a Foreign Affairs Committee meeting. Simmons is not thought to be in attendance.
Additional reporting by Órla Ryan
Originally published: 2 December
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