Senator Feargal Quinn had a rude awakening yesterday - his 60th birthday.
Per using the Financial Times he across an alarming report headed: "Supermarket supremo to step down. The report went on to say that Mr Quinn, the managing director of the Superquinn chain, was to make way for his eldest son, marketing director, Eamonn.
The article claimed that the elder Quinn had his eye on the Park, which was likely to be vacated next year by the President, Mrs Robinson.
"It looked genuine. I was taken in for a short time," Mr Quinn conceded. "But I'm a member of a family of practical jokers. I don't know how they did it. I'm still try to find out".