Bertie's anger at bribery attempts.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has revealed his fury at being offered bribes twice in his career.

The Fianna Fail leader says two different businessmen tried to give him large sums of money in return for political favours.

But he says he angrily turned down both approaches.

"Once I nearly clocked the guy," he reveals in the new unauthorised biography of his life, Bertie Ahern - Taoiseach and Peacemaker.

"The other time there was a group of Fianna Fail councillors lobbying us about the law on one-arm bandits.

"We were very much against because them they were causing havoc - particularly in my constituency."

The Taoiseach speaks out about how he nearly came to blows with one of the men who tried to bribe him.

"The first one involved warehouses in the docks area," he says.

"There were a lot of different guys operating around the centre of the city at the time and they were into big buildings or crime.

"This is the guy I nearly clocked. You always had to stand up for yourself around my constituency and you still do.

"If you don't, you may get set up."

The Taoiseach launches a thinly veiled attack on former political ally and Foreign Affairs Minister Ray Burke who resigned over a pounds 30,000 payment.

"When you co-operate with these guys they have you.

"If someone comes along to you and says: 'Listen, I'd love to support the party; here's pounds 20,000' - sure you know they're going to be back to you."