Posted online: Jul 7th, 2009

By Ursula Duddy
Reporter

THE mystery of the missing snake in Rosemount has been s-s-solved after the slippery customer was found slithering into a newsagents.
The drama began on Friday, June 26, when the three-foot-long albino snake was spotted by a customer in the Clear Pharmacy on Rosemount Avenue.
Plucky employee, Sharon Box had tried her hand at a bit of snake charming aided by pharmacist, Noella McLoone.
She tried to coax it out with a feather duster but the snake was having none of it and after snapping at the duster, sending feathers flying, it slid off into the sunset.
You can imagine the surprise Bernard Gill got when, almost a week later; he caught the snake making its way into his brother Paddy’s shop at Park Avenue last Thursday.
However, it wasn’t a totally unwelcome visit, after brave Bernard wrangled with reptile and put it safely in a clear box, business was booming due to the heavy influx of people coming to see the snake that became a local celebrity.
“You should have seen how many people came to see it,” laughed Paddy.
“They were queued out the door.”
However, pharmacist Noella McLoone was just glad that the snake had been caught after having given them the slip.
“We’re glad it turned up,” she said.
“Now we won’t have to worry about checking before we stick our hand in order boxes!”
The daring fugitive was taken to safety by a local pet collector who has reported that it is now settled happily in a terrarium with other snakes.
After its adventures it was treated to a large meal of frozen mice from local pet shop, Jollyes, and was last reported to be coiled up for a much-needed snake snooze.