Published: Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 10:50am

The Hoax Files: Source of mystery UFOs revealed!

by Ann Casey

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The mystery surrounding the appearance of UFOs in the skies over Dunboyne recently has been solved. It"s all because of a wedding!

'UFOs" spotted over Dunboyne" were among the rather lurid headlines in both national and local papers, while the incident was reported widely on the internet and was the highlight of a recent paranormal convention.

The 'UFOs" were filmed by a high-ranking garda (not from Dunboyne) who happened to be in the area and even an excited Carl Nally, co-founder of UFO and Paranormal Research Ireland, described the footage captured on a camera phone as 'the best film of a UFO ever filmed in Ireland and perhaps some of the best footage ever captured worldwide'.

However, the much publicised and discussed 'UFOs" were actually Chinese sky lanterns released by a local couple as a romantic end to their perfect day!

Andrea Mulligan, a daughter of Mabel and Finian Mulligan of Dunderry, Navan, but who now lives in Manchester, married Lyndon James on 3rd August and held their reception in Dunboyne Castle Hotel.

However, when planning their special day, they could never have imagined the headlines the romantic finale to the wedding would create. 'It is a Chinese tradition to celebrate a special event by making a wish on these lanterns, lighting them and releasing them into the sky,' Andrea explained.

'My husband, our guests and I released them as part of our wedding celebrations. There wasn"t an alien in sight! I cannot believe this story is all over the internet!' she said this week.

Andrea, who is a solicitor, and Lynden, who is a detective inspector with the British Police, have never really been interested in UFOs and are both astonished at the reaction to their gesture.

There were worldwide reports of four triangular UFOs being spotted in the skies over Dunboyne at 10.45pm on 3rd August, the date of Andrea and Lynden"s wedding.

'We had a good laugh. It is absolutely gas and I particularly loved reports that alien activity was increasing because of what is happening at Tara,' she added.

Traditionally used in Asian festivals, sky lanterns are said to create an awe-inspiring alternative to a fireworks display and are often used for weddings parties, barbeques and other festivities.

Also known as paper or sky lanterns, they are extremely light and can fly in the air for up to 20 minutes and will travel several miles in distance, after which the flame will blow out and they will gently float back down for a safe landing. Sky lanterns can fly to more than 1,000 meters in altitude.

Because of Dunboyne Castle"s proximity to Dublin Airport, Andrea and Lyndon had to get permission from the Irish Aviation Authority and the local Gardai before releasing the sky lanterns.

'If all these people were so convinced it was aliens, just a little research with the Irish aviation authorities would have told them what it was,' Andrea said.