Latest:

23:22 White Stripes blast 'war' advert
23:02 MPs back election reform referendum
22:32 Vakacegu citing dismissed
22:12 Three-sy does it for Cottagers
22:02 Dindane claims dramatic equaliser
22:02 Tuncay snatches point for Potters
22:02 Tevez and Adebayor on target for City
21:22 Ex-Beatle Macca visits the Commons

Hotelier plans to throw turkeys off tower to see if they fly

By Rodney Edwards
Friday, 6 November 2009

Joe Mahon

enlarge

Bookmark & Share

What are these?

Dozens of turkeys are to be chucked off the top of a clock tower in County Fermanagh — to see if they can fly.

The controversial plan to fire 50 live turkeys off the 100ft tower in Irvinestown has been condemned by animal groups.

But organiser Joe Mahon shrugged off the complaints, saying: “It's not cruel because turkeys are supposed to be able to fly like all birds, so if they can then what's the problem? We're going to march the turkeys up the steps of the town clock and throw them off the top to see if they can fly and that’s that.

“I'll be throwing some of the turkeys off the tower myself, no bother, and Santa Claus will be at the bottom holding a safety blanket and will be ready to catch the turkeys if they don't fly. He won't miss them flying through the air because we've just started training him up. He'll be well up to the job on the day.”

The businessman, who runs Mahon's Hotel, is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this year he paraded women down the streets of Irvinestown as part of a wolf-whistling contest and last year he held a turkey parade — which was stopped by police — all for charity.

But Stephen Philpott of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is furious.

“We would object strongly to this activity as well. It is not entertaining, it is merely exploiting animals or creatures in a horrendous way,” he said.

YouTube: Happy thanksgiving - WKRP Turkey Drop

Comments

First |
Previous
1
2
3
Next
| Last

49 Comments

I was led here from a foreign site. What a shame it is that people around the world are seeing how stupid and backward the Irish are. Why doesn't he throw himself off the tower. It is a sad day when we have to abuse another form of life to regard it as entertainment. :(

Posted by Mark | 10.11.09, 14:03 GMT

All the comments seem to neglect the fact that this whole thing is for charity? I was in Irvinestown last year for the turkey parade and found it thouroughly entertaining. Id say thousands were raised, think it was for cancer so i wouldn't call it publicity for his hotel either. The man deserves a bit of credit in my opinion not insults to his intelligence. Im sure as he has the brains to run a successful hotel he knows that most turkeys don't fly. It is the country after all.

Posted by Fermanaghfan | 10.11.09, 00:51 GMT

You east of the Bann lot really crack me up. What a bunch of politically correct, naive, uptight morons you are. Ever heard of the saying that "There's no such thing as bad publicity".

Posted by Pharmer | 09.11.09, 23:34 GMT

This is beyond belief - the utter stupidity of this man is mind-bending! He should be be seeking help for even thinking that he can get away with this pointless, barbaric cruelty.

Posted by Philip Downs | 09.11.09, 11:40 GMT

And when can we expect Mr. Mahon to publicly take a test to demonstrate whether human beings have intelligence?

Posted by A. Farlow | 08.11.09, 13:59 GMT

Joe Mahon, you should be ashamed of not only your own cruelty but of making your country a laughingstock.
So backward.

Posted by Texan | 08.11.09, 02:47 GMT

This sounds like a great day out!

I’ll be sure to bring my kids. It’s only a bit of harmless fun after all.

Posted by Chris | 07.11.09, 10:16 GMT

He's obviously just doing this for publicity, but it has backfired and he's been shown to be a complete fool with no brain cells. Does he really run a hotel?! I'll make sure I don't go anywhere near it - I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him!!!

Posted by Ernie | 06.11.09, 23:06 GMT

I would fully support any organisation that prevents Joe Mahon from carrying out crazy idea. He reminds me of a CEO from an airline that indulges in "wacko" marketing and a boycot of his hotel would serve him right. get a life Joe!

Posted by Andy | 06.11.09, 22:22 GMT

What an idiot??? If he really is a curious person, why doesn't he take that famous drink, go up the clock tower himself and see if he grows wings!!!! I mean you won't find the answer to this on google.

Posted by Nee-Naw | 06.11.09, 21:54 GMT

Will never visit the hotel again and urge all people with functions there, like weddings etc. to find some place else.
BOYCOTT this cruel man

Posted by Malcolm | 06.11.09, 20:21 GMT

Brilliant! I always wondered if Turkeys could fly (I flew to Turkey once). As for 'exploting' them in a 'horrendous' way - well, isn't slitting/strangling their necks worse? If I was a Turkey, I'd take my chances off a bell-tower rather than have my throat cut. And just think - if they CAN fly, they have a chance of escaping Xmas dinner!Can't they throw some chickens off as well? Or better still, throw Daniel O'Donnel off and save us all from his dire warbling.

Posted by Chris Munro | 06.11.09, 20:11 GMT

I've already tried this from the same kind of height, and it didn't work.Most of them hit the ground like stones. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not just blaming the turkeys, it was a blustery, mizzley kind of day,not perfect conditions. But seriously, it was the wrong thing to do. I was soaked through to the skin. And for what?

Posted by Daniel | 06.11.09, 19:50 GMT

What an idiotic and successful attempt to gain publicity.

Posted by Ed | 06.11.09, 18:36 GMT

Big Jed, read the bloody text. He has every intention of doing this.

Posted by P Crowson | 06.11.09, 17:27 GMT

Big Jed, read the bloody text. He has every intention of doing this.

Posted by P Crowson | 06.11.09, 17:26 GMT

The sick crimes that I read of in the U.K. , I wonder what makes these people tick. Now some idiot doing this just wides up the other idiots.

Posted by phl | 06.11.09, 17:16 GMT

Damn...where is it? It'll save me waiting in the queue at Asda..and I won't need me wallet. Merry Christmas!

Posted by R. Storie | 06.11.09, 17:12 GMT

This sounds great fun!

I will make to sure to bring my kids to this. It's bound to be a great laugh!!

Too all you bleeding hearts out there "wise up and go away"

Posted by Chris | 06.11.09, 15:50 GMT