SNOOP DOGG - SNOOP DOGG TO GO AHEAD WITH DUBLIN GIGS

LATEST: Rapper SNOOP DOGG has vowed to go ahead with concert dates in Dublin, Ireland this weekend (31MAR07-01APR07), after he was forced to scrap his UK tour following a visa ban. Snoop Dogg - real name CALVIN BROADUS - was refused a visa to enter the UK by the country's Foreign And Commonwealth Office last week (24MAR07) and attempts to reverse the decision proved unsuccessful. But the BEAUTIFUL star is determined not to disappoint fans in the Emerald Isle, where he is scheduled to play two dates at Dublin's Point Depot. NOEL MCHALE of concert organisers MCD Promotions says the star is a big attraction in Ireland, and warned fans may not see Snoop on this side of the Atlantic again. He says, "Snoop loves Ireland and in the past has helped us with our charity fundraising Meteor Awards and at his appearance in Ireland at (music festival) Oxegen he drew the biggest crowd ever to the main stage at that festival. "This will probably be the last time to see him in Europe." Authorities have not given a reason as to why Snoop's visa was declined, but last year (06), the rapper received a police caution for affray following a fight in a lounge at London's Heathrow Airport. Days after his caution in May 2006, the UK Home Office said Snoop would be banned from the country for the "foreseeable future" due to his caution and his previous convictions for firearms and drugs offences in the US.