FEB 29TH IS CRAGGY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

A Coup d'Etat has erupted on Craggy Island off Ireland's west coast. A restless atmosphere pervades this normally placid isle. The Craggy Independence Party is the driving force behind the insurgent movement. A spokesperson said, "Our time has come to break away from those gobs**tes on the mainland. What's good enough for the Kosovo is good enough for us."

The tiny island off the west coast of Ireland has long been a hotpot of discontent, stemming from its omission from all maps of the region.

The catalyst was the decision to allow, "a f**king turkey do the Eurovision. The turkey is the final f**king straw. That crowd on the mainland they're about as useful as a runny s**te.". The rest of his comments were even more unprintable, though he did finish with the proclamation, "It's time to put Craggy Island on the map".

The islanders have selected their own Song For Europe, Got to Get Me Tan , by Loose Threads. The song is probably best described as Lounge Rock meets Celtic Calypso. "Proper singing," said the spokesman. Diplomatic links have even been established with Albania, with the minnows declaring themselves twin-states. "We extend the hand of friendship to our Albanian cousins. You are like brothers to us."

Reports suggest that the renegade islanders have commenced a total cessation of communications with the mainland and are implementing new governmental infrastructures. Island bank, Craggy Rock is printing thousands of Craggy Punts, the new currency for the soon to be fledgling state.

The rebel islanders have declared February 29^th Independence Day for The New Irish Republic of Craggy Island.

Ted Fest organisers advise those intending to travel to the rebel republic for the Ted Fest weekend to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs for advice.

The insurgents say Aer Arann has been granted special dispensation to continue to overfly the Island, "but those feckers Ryanair can go round the long way!"

Paddy Power are now accepting bets on how long Craggy Island can last in splendid isolation. They are offering odds of 100/1 that Craggy Island's independence will last beyond St Patrick's Day.