Customs agent Daniel 'The Father' Mulcahy founded the Shamrocks Motorcycle Club in Vermont 18 months ago, and this weekend told the Sunday Tribune that he has had a number of enquiries from gardai who are interested in forming an Irish 'chapter' of the club.

"When you're in law enforcement, you want to be around people of your own make-up, people you can trust and talk to about the job, " he said. "That was the whole point behind the club, and it's really taken off. We don't say how many members we have, for security reasons, but a ballpark figure would already be several hundred."

Mulcahy chose the name 'Shamrocks' for the club because of his strong Irish connnections . . . his father emigrated from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and Mulcahy himself worked in the US embassy in Dublin for five years. Ninety per cent of the members are also Irish-American, though this is not a prerequisite for people wanting to join.

Each prospective member has to go through a rigorous vetting process, regardless of their job or social standing.

This policy would even extend to U2 drummer Larry Mullen, whom Mulcahy hopes to involve in the Irish chapter.

"I met Larry a few times, when I was in Ireland, and all we did was talk about motorcycles, so I'm trying to get in contact with him to see if he wants to join the new Irish chapter, " he said. "He'd have to go through the same joining process as the rest of the guys, but I don't think he'd mind. He's a down-toearth kind of guy."

Members of 'The 'Rocks' are supposed to work in law enforcement, but Mulcahy said they've had so many enquiries from non-federal officers that they've bent the rules a little. However, some edicts still apply . . . members must be male, over 18, fully licensed to drive a motorcycle and are only allowed to ride Harley Davidsons and other American bikes. Even then, you're not sure of "getting your clover".

"No matter who you are, you still have to go through a 'Prospect Period', which lasts from six months to a year, " said Mulcahy. "After that, if you're voted in, you get a club name. Mine is 'The Father'.

We call each other by our names when we're on the road, which protects our identity."

Mulcahy said that he had received enquiries from people all over the world who wanted to form chapters. "As long as they're law, they just need to fill out an application form. We're getting bigger every day, " he said.