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The BBC report: Fowl Eurovision entry for Ireland

Eurovision Song Contest feathers may be ruffled by Ireland’s decision to be represented in May’s cross-continental competition by a puppet bird.

Dustin The Turkey was plucked from a rafter of six finalists, winning a televised vote on Saturday night.

The cult figure’s gobbled rendition of Irelande Douze Pointe – a parody of the Eurovision voting system – secured his place at the top of the pecking order.

Dustin now aims to restore Irish pride battered by recent Eurovision failures.

But while Dustin beat off national opposition in broadcaster RTE’s Eurosong on Saturday, he now faces a pressure cooker environment at May’s Eurovision, where he will have to fight off competition from all over Europe.

Least anyone think the Brits are picking on Eire, the Irish Times report: Dustin’s Eurovision song no turkey, says Geldof

His participation in tonight’s final may have already ruffled a few feathers, but Dustin the Turkey yesterday received the heavyweight backing of Bob Geldof in his bid for Eurovision glory, writes John Downes.

The musician and co-founder of Live Aid said it would be nothing short of “rank poultryism” should “one of the greatest talents this country has ever produced” fail to be selected to represent “our glorious musical heritage” on the world stage.

The puppet character Dustin, with his song Irelande Douze Pointe, is one of six acts competing in tonight’s Eurosong 2008 final in Limerick for the right to represent Ireland at the Eurovision semi-final in Serbia in May.

“The mere fact of his being a turkey should give Ireland the edge,” suggested Geldof.

He said it should not be claimed that “simply because this giant is a turkey he is somehow unfit to represent his country”.

If the Eurovision Song Contest was known for anything at all, he added, “it is the vast number of turkeys it produces each year . . . Sure won’t he gobble them up!”

On a personal note – this gives the Eurovision contest all of the respect it is due, and the fact that the contest is being held in Belgrade, Serbia this year is an indication of the foresight of the management.