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Former Ireland boss and player Johnny Giles was caught up in a middle of a fire tonight, it has emerged.

The famous pundit was due to give a speech at the 40th anniversary of Clane United football club when the blaze broke out at Westgrove Hotel, in Clane, Co Kildare.

Fire brigades and a medical team were dispatched to the four-star hotel shortly after 8pm.

It is not believed anyone was injured in the incident.

One of the event organisers Andy Stallard told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “We had prepared a dinner and dance event for Clane United’s 40th anniversary.

(Image: BrendaDrumm)

“So we were in the hotel when we noticed smoke coming out from a corner of the function room.

“We thought one of the lights was burning and notified hotel staff but it was more serious than that.

“We had 200 guests attending the event - they were having drinks in a side room, the reception hadn’t started - and there was also funeral with around 100 people there.

“But the hotel manager had the building evacuated in about two minutes.

“By the time we were outside several fire brigades had showed up - five or six - as as a medical team.

“What can you do? The most important is that no one was hurt, we can always celebrate the anniversary some other time.”