Star the bunny twitches into high gear

THAT ‘new car smell’ has enticed many a punter to showrooms over the years.

But how many of them have come bouncing along on all fours with ears flopping and nose twitching?

Yet that’s the sight that has bewitched staff at Billy Naughton’s Tralee-based car dealership.

In recent weeks, a young rabbit has started competing with the motors on show for customers’ attention.

“We’re nice friendly people down here and he seems at home with us,” said Billy Naughton yesterday.

“Maybe he’s just contributing his bit to the new green taxes!”

They have dubbed him Star, named in honour of local GAA and basketball legend Kieran Donaghy.

Billy and his team have no idea where the rabbit originated, but suspect he’s sleeping in some sheds at the back of the property, if not the surrounding fields.

“We wouldn’t be totally built-up and it’s a nice, green environment. I don’t know where he sleeps but he comes up here to the front in the mornings and would be around the new cars,” says Billy Naughton.

As for food, there’s no shortage around, even when the generous staff are off-duty. “We have a wooden handover area near the showroom and there’s some nice green plants and he’d be nibbling away there.”

He’s also hardy enough to withstand the sights and sounds of motorcars moving in and out of the sales area.

Star the rabbit remains tame around people and is now almost part of the dealership’s sales team.

“He’s a bit of a lucky mascot by now. He’s only young, a couple of weeks old, and there could be a couple around. But he’s the only one we’ve seen.”