IT HAS been a case of catch the pigeon this week as a lone racing pigeon has decided to call a local pub home.
Customers and staff of John McNally’s Tavern on Main Street, Carrickmacross are all starting to get used to having their feathered friend around.

Homer the homing pigeon “landed” at the door of the pub on Sunday evening and was first noticed by John’s grandson, Laurence, who immediately told his grandfather.

Laurence told the Post: “The pigeon flies up to the windowsill on the front of the pub and struts his stuff back and forth. He’s a great showoff.

“When you approach him he walks right up to you although he doesn’t get too close. He walked into the pub yesterday and the customers had a great laugh.”
Pub proprietor John McNally said: “Laurence called me out and showed me the pigeon the other day. He’s a very tame bird and will reluctantly eat out of your hand. We are all wondering where he came from but he has a ring on his leg so he’s a homing pigeon alright who has probably got lost.”

The popular local publican added that the pigeon tries his very best to get inside the pub at every opportunity. “He must be extremely thirsty after his journey. That’s the only explanation for it,” joked John.
The Monaghan Post has tracked down Homer’s owner and discovered that the pigeon has been missing since late last year!

We can reveal that the bird is owned by Andy Toner of Castlewellan, County Down who is a member of the Annsborough Homing Pigeon Association.

On hearing that the wayward bird has been found in Carrickmacross Andy told the Post: “I can’t believe it. I liberated that bird in Penzance in Cornwall last year. What’s he doing in Carrickmacross? It’s great that he’s been found at long last.”
Andy has now been in touch with the McNally’s and hopes to be reunited with his pigeon soon.