Dublin People - I’m stuck on you

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I’m stuck on you

Thursday, 06 March 2008

YOU may have heard of the old children’s song about the cat that always came back.
Well harbour areas around the coast of Dublin have a creature of their own that just won’t go away.
‘Patches’ the seal, who featured in Northside People last month after he made something of a name for himself at Rush Sailing Club, has continued to defy all efforts to release him into the wilds of the ocean.
In the past couple of weeks, Patches has made appearances at Clontarf Yacht Club and as far out as Dun Laoghaire Harbour, where he even caused a delay in the departure of a ferry!
Staff at the Irish Seal Sanctuary, Garristown, north county Dublin, who have been keeping a close eye on Patches, took him back in for a couple of days last week for observation and to ensure he is ready for another attempted release.
Aine Carroll, a seal handler with the sanctuary, told Northside People that while Patches is starting to feed out at sea, he still couldn’t resist the lure of the public limelight.

However, Ms Carroll was keen to stress that the public should desist from petting or handling Patches.
“We had to take Patches away from Rush Sailing Club because there were just too many people handling him,” Ms Carroll said.
“We released him again at a private location but he managed to appear up in Clontarf and made his way out to Dun Laoghaire after that.
“We intend to release Patches again but really want to get the message across to people that it is okay to look, but not to touch him.”
Those who have come into contact with Patches have been charmed by his laidback style and friendliness.
Sean Doyle, from Thorndale Drive, Artane, said he was intrigued when he spotted Patches on the slipway at Clontarf Yacht Club.
Sean, who recognised Patches from the last time he appeared in Northside People, said he lay on the slipway for up to two hours.
“He certainly aroused a great deal of interest and sympathy from passers-by who thought he was injured,” Sean said.
“I contacted the seal sanctuary about him but they said he was just lazy and enjoyed human company.
“Eventually, he waddled back down the slipway and into the water, so it became obvious there was nothing wrong with him; he just seemed to enjoy the attention.”

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