Gardai in Athlone are planning to drift across the sky in a hot-air balloon in pursuit of a group of publicans this evening.
No, this is not a slower version of the Garda helicopter - the gardaí and publicans are competing in a hot-air balloon race in aid of charity.
Members of the local Athlone/Moate Licensed Vintners' Association will race against the gardaí in the challenge, which is due to start at 7.30 p.m., weather permitting.
They will ascend from the Golden Island Shopping Centre and touch down in nearby Moate. The theatre group Tonnta will entertain the crowds while the balloons are being inflated.
All funds raised will go to St Hilda's Services for the Mentally Handicapped in Athlone. St Hilda's has been providing services to adults and children with an intellectual disability for 40 years.
