Paddy Power bids for Tree Stump

PaddyPower, Irelands largest bookmaker have taken the rather unusual step of putting in a bid for the holy tree stump of Rathkeale.  Annoyed by the fact that a Canadian  based online casino operator had put in a bid of 5000 Canadian Dollars to take the stump away from Rathkeale and add it to their collection of other strange religious objects which include Pope Benedict’s old Volkswagen and a slice of toast with the face of the Virgin Mary on it; Paddy Power decided it should stay where it is. A PaddyPower spokesperson said “we don’t want to see our holy tree paraded around the world in some kind of carnival” and added “we shall endeavour to preserve the tree stump and make it accessible to all those who choose to visit it”. The bid which is reputed to be around double the Canadian bid will be submitted in writing to Canon Joseph Dempsey the Rathkeale Parish Priest. Whether the Canadian bid will be increased remains to be seen but good for PaddyPower in protecting Irish interests.