FOR all the hype, fanfare and hectic schedules surrounding the build-up to the Rose of Tralee, Daithí O Sé is a relieved man.

SNAKES on stage, a fist in the gob, and the return of Gaybo – the Rose of Tralee celebrates half a century next week and promises to celebrate the milestone in style.

For more than four years, Shawn Hornbeck seemed to have had every chance to escape, left alone for hours to ride his bike, play video games and walk past missing-child posters showing his own age-progressed image.