<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"  class=" viewable-ads " style="" lang="en" xml:lang="en" xmlns:og="http://opengraphprotocol.org/schema/">
    <head>
        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
        <title>'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey</title>
        <meta name="author" content="Sean Murray"/>
<link rel="amphtml" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?amp=1">
        <link href="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="icon" />
        <link href="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon" />
        <link href="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/apple-touch-icon.png" rel="apple-touch-icon" />
                    <meta property="al:ios" name="al:ios" />            <meta property="al:ios:url" name="al:ios:url" content="jrnl://article/3598546" />
            <meta property="al:ios:app_name" name="al:ios:app_name" content="TheJournal.ie" />
            <meta property="al:ios:app_store_id" name="al:ios:app_store_id" content="409359491" />
                        <meta property="al:android" name="al:android" />            <meta property="al:android:url" name="al:android:url" content="jrnl://article/3598546?source=fbal" />
            <meta property="al:android:app_name" name="al:android:app_name" content="TheJournal.ie" />
            <meta property="al:android:package" name="al:android:package" content="com.distilledmedia.thejournal" />
            <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=409359491, app-argument=http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/">
<script type="text/javascript">
    document.documentElement.className+=' js';
    var ajaxurl = 'http://www.thejournal.ie/ajax.php';
    var stats_url = 'http://www.thejournal.ie/statsscript.php';
    var current_url = 'www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?utm_source=shortlink';
    var load_time = '2018-02-17 05:08:29';
    var current_post_id = 3598546;
    var current_post_permalink = 'http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/';
    var stats_key = "bd52e7e98f40c7e5e3d88f425bf0278b";
    var wp_logged_in = false;
    var current_title = "'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey";

    window.jrnl_social_connected = false;

    var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime()

    var app_cookie_domain = '.thejournal.ie';
    var session_domain = "http://www.thejournal.ie";
    var root_domain = "thejournal.ie";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
    document.domain = "thejournal.ie";

    window.on_front = false;
                window.authenticator = '';
    window.login_expires = 1676610509;
    window.users_token = '';

                window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
                FB.init({appId: "116141121768215", status: true, cookie: true,
                xfbml: true});
                FB.Event.subscribe('edge.create', function(response){
                    // Log like
                    socialReader.like(response);
                });
                                        if(typeof sync_with_server != 'undefined')
                        {
                            sync_with_server();
                        }
                                    };
            (function(d){
                var js, id = 'facebook-jssdk'; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
                js = d.createElement('script'); js.id = id; js.async = true;
                js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js";
                d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(js);
            }(document));
                window.email_permission = false;
        window.share_permission = false;
            var jrnl_social_window = null;
        function jrnl_social_login(service, submit_comment, callback) {
            var link = '';
            if(service == 'twitter')
            {
                link = "http://www.thejournal.ie/utils/login/twitter/?";
                if(submit_comment)
                {
                    link = link + "&comment=1";
                }
                else if(callback
                    && callback.length > 0
                )
                {
                    link = link + "?cb=" + callback;
                }
            }
            else if(service == 'facebook')
            {
                // Facebook link is a bit messier - need to bounce through popup
                link = "http://www.thejournal.ie/utils/login/facebook/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdialog%2Foauth%3Fdisplay%3Dpopup%26client_id%3D116141121768215%26scope%3D" + get_fb_perm_string() + "%26redirect_uri%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejournal.ie%2Futils%2Flogin%2Ffacebook%2F";
                // Are we submitting after log-in?
                if(submit_comment)
                {
                    link = link + "?comment=1";
                }
                else if(callback
                    && callback.length > 0
                )
                {
                    link = link + "?cb=" + callback;
                }
            }

            if ( jrnl_social_window != null && !jrnl_social_window.closed )
                jrnl_social_window.close();

            jrnl_social_window = window.open(
                link,
                'jrnl_social_window',
                'status,scrollbars,location,resizable,width=600,height=350'
            )
            jrnl_social_window.focus();

            return false;
        }
</script>
<script>
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;
n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,
document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');

fbq('init', '923227664489862');
fbq('track', "PageView");</script>
<noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none"
src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=923227664489862&ev=PageView&noscript=1"
/></noscript>
<script>
                    fbq('track', 'ViewContent', {
                      content_category: 'international'
                     });
                                    fbq('track', 'ViewContent', {
                      content_category: 'science'
                     });
                </script>
        <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="TheJournal.ie &raquo; Feed" href="/feed/" />

                    <script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.2/jquery.min.js"></script>
            <script>
                window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="http://b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/js/jquery-1.7.2.min.js"><\/script>')
            </script>
        

        <!-- Start dmlpool Tag -->
        <script src="//pool.distilled.ie/js/lscache.min.js"></script>
        <script>
            var _pool = _pool || [];
            (function(){
                var s = document.createElement('script');
                s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true;
                s.src = '//pool.distilled.ie/js/pool.min.js';
                var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
                x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x);
            })();
            _pool.push(['cacheBucketLocally', ['_dml']]);

            // viewability js
            _jrnl_viewability = {"enabled":true};
            _jrnl_sidebar = {"enabled":true};
        </script>
        <!-- End dmlpool Tag -->



        
                <script type='text/javascript'>
                    var is_box_window = false;
                    var is_box_name = '';
                </script>

            <script type="text/javascript" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/merge.php?js=~plugins/bower/bower_components~myfeed/selector~underscore.min~json2_jquery.easytabs_jquery.lazyload~init~comments~viewability~sidebar~init.dfp~sponsored/twist~ad_retargeting~email_popup~quiz~inline_adverts~survey~jquery.fancybox-1.3.1~plugins/featherlight.min~plugins/jquery-scrolltofixed-min~auth~jquery.cookie~app-download-prompt-v3~read_next&v=20180209&view_type=desktop"></script>

                            <link rel='shortlink' href='http://jrnl.ie/3598546' />
                    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//b0.thejournal.ie/merge.php?css=~main~comments~viewability~sidebar~nightmode~myfeed/banner~quiz~inline_adverts~print~sponsored/twist~stories~plugins/featherlight.min&v=20180209&view_type=desktop" />
                <meta name="description" content="Preeti Desai shared the image on Twitter and the scientific community responded to solve the mystery." />
        <meta name="keywords" content="fangtooth snake-eel, HURRICANE HARVEY, Mystery Solved, Texas" />
        <meta name="news_keywords" content="fangtooth snake-eel, HURRICANE HARVEY, Mystery Solved, Texas" />
<link rel="alternate" href="android-app://com.distilledmedia.thejournal/jrnl_ie/article/3598546" />
<link rel="canonical" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/" /><link href="" rel="author" /><meta name="fb:app_id" content="116141121768215" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Preeti Desai shared the image on Twitter and the scientific community responded to solve the mystery."/>
<meta property="og:url" content="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="http://img2.thejournal.ie/article/3598546/river/?height=400&version=3598551"/>
<meta property="og:site_name" content="TheJournal.ie"/>
<meta property="article:author" content="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/sean-murray/"/>
<meta property="article:post_date" content="2017-09-14T22:18:44+0100"/>
<meta property="article:post_modified" content="2017-09-18T13:07:59+0100"/>
<meta property="fb:pages" content="137576076262825"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" >
<meta name="twitter:image" content="http://img2.thejournal.ie/article/3598546/listing?version=3598551&amp;width=590" >
<meta name="twitter:title" content="&#039;What the heck is this?&#039; Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey" >
<meta name="twitter:url" content="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/" >
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Preeti Desai shared the image on Twitter and the scientific community responded to solve the mystery." >
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@thejournal_ie" >

<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@SeanMJourno" >

<meta name="twitter:app:name:iphone" content="TheJournal.ie" >
<meta name="twitter:app:name:ipad" content="TheJournal.ie" >
<meta name="twitter:app:name:googleplay" content="TheJournal.ie" >
<meta name="twitter:app:id:iphone" content="409359491" >
<meta name="twitter:app:id:ipad" content="409359491" >
<meta name="twitter:app:id:googleplay" content="com.distilledmedia.thejournal" >

<meta name="twitter:app:url:iphone" content="jrnl://article/3598546/?app=Twitter&amp;callback=twitter%3A%2F%2F" >
<meta name="twitter:app:url:ipad" content="jrnl://article/3598546/?app=Twitter&amp;callback=twitter%3A%2F%2F" >
<meta name="twitter:app:url:googleplay" content="jrnl://article/3598546/?app=twitter" >
<script>
    var commentSec = {
        token : "9c700f3ba"
    }
</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>
var googletag = googletag || {};
googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
(function() {
var gads = document.createElement('script');
gads.async = true;
gads.type = 'text/javascript';
var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol;
gads.src = (useSSL ? 'https:' : 'http:') +
'//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js';
var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
})();
</script>

<script type='text/javascript'>
googletag.cmd.push(function() {

googletag.defineSlot('/5512429/J_MPU', [[300,250],[300,600],["fluid"]], 'div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-0').addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.defineSlot('/5512429/J_Riverblock', [[2,1],[630,172]], 'div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-1').addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.defineSlot('/5512429/J_Leaderboard', [[2,1],[728,90],[970,250],[950,260],[970,260],[920,250],[990,255]], 'div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-2').addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('platform', 'desktop');
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('sitemode', 'default');

googletag.pubads().setTargeting('site', 'thejournal');
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('publication', 'thejournal');
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('section', "article");
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('tags', ["fangtooth-snake-eel","hurricane-harvey","mystery-solved","texas","science"]);
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('targeting-key', ["fangtooth-snake-eel","hurricane-harvey","mystery-solved","texas"]);
                googletag.pubads().setTargeting('targetingkey', ["fangtooth-snake-eel","hurricane-harvey","mystery-solved","texas"]);
                googletag.pubads().setTargeting('tiling', '0');
googletag.pubads().setTargeting('pageid', 'id-3598546');
    
if ($("#js-retargeting").length > 0)
{
    try
    {
        var retargeting = new RetargetingClient();
        retargeting.trackView();
    }
    catch (e)
    {
        console.error(e.message);
        console.log(e);
    }
}

//googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad();
// if we have lscache loaded check for a dirty _dml bucket and use for targeting
if(lscache && Object.keys)
{
    var _dml = Object.keys(lscache.getBucket('_dml')).join(",");
    googletag.pubads().setTargeting('_dml', _dml);
}



    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();
    googletag.enableServices();

});


dfpLoadCheck('div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-2');

</script>
        <!-- IE9 Pinning -->
        <meta name="application-name" content="TheJournal" />
        <meta name="msapplication-tooltip" content="TheJournal.ie - Read, Share and Shape the news" />
        <meta name="msapplication-starturl" content="http://www.thejournal.ie/" />
        <meta name="msapplication-task" content="name=The 9 at 9;action-uri=http://www.thejournal.ie/9at9;icon-uri=//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/favicon.ico" />
        <meta name="msapplication-task" content="name=The42;action-uri=http://www.the42.ie/;icon-uri=//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/the42/favicon.ico" />
        <meta name="msapplication-task" content="name=Business Etc;action-uri=http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/;icon-uri=//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/businessetc/favicon.ico" />
        <meta name="msapplication-task" content="name=DailyEdge.ie;action-uri=http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/;icon-uri=//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thedailyedge/favicon.ico" />
        <meta name="msapplication-task" content="name=Irish News;action-uri=http://www.thejournal.ie/irish/;icon-uri=//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/favicon.ico" />
        <!-- /IE9 Pinning -->


        <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'></script>
    </head>

    
    <!--[if IE 6]><body class="ie ie6 ie-lt8 theme--thejournal"><![endif]-->
    <!--[if IE 7]><body class="ie ie7 ie-lt8 theme--thejournal"><![endif]-->
    <!--[if IE 8]><body class="ie ie8 theme--thejournal"><![endif]-->
    <!--[if gte IE 9]><body class="ie9up theme--thejournal"><![endif]-->
    <!--[if !IE]><!-->
    <body class="nie theme--thejournal">
    <!--<![endif]-->
    <script>
  (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
  (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
  m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
  })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
ga('create', 'UA-17456403-37', 'auto');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
<div id="myfeed-banner" class=" hidden ">
    <div class="page-content screen-1 ">
        <div class="sections-blurb">
            <div class="title">
                My News            </div>
            <div class="subtext">
                Personalise your news feed by choosing your favourite topics of interest            </div>
            <div class="buttons">
                <div class="btn btn-action">
                    Get Started
                </div>
                <div class="btn btn-decline">
                    No Thanks
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div class="page-content screen-2 hidden">
        <div class="sections-blurb">
            <div class="title">
                Create your own newsfeed            </div>
            <div class="subtext">
                Choose 3 or more topics that you want to see.            </div>
        </div>
        <div class="sections-options">
                            <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="irish"
                    id="myfeed-section-irish"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/irish.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Irish News</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="politics"
                    id="myfeed-section-politics"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/politics.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Politics</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="international"
                    id="myfeed-section-international"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/international.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>International</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="readme"
                    id="myfeed-section-readme"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/readme.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Opinion</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="living"
                    id="myfeed-section-living"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/living.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Living</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="family"
                    id="myfeed-section-family"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/family.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Family</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="technology"
                    id="myfeed-section-technology"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/technology.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Technology</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="business"
                    id="myfeed-section-business"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/business.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Business</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="gaa"
                    id="myfeed-section-gaa"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/gaa.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>GAA</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="soccer"
                    id="myfeed-section-soccer"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/soccer.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Soccer</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="rugby"
                    id="myfeed-section-rugby"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/rugby.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Rugby</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="mma"
                    id="myfeed-section-mma"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/mma.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>MMA</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="watercooler"
                    id="myfeed-section-watercooler"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/watercooler.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Watercooler</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="going-out"
                    id="myfeed-section-going-out"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/going-out.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Going Out</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="screens"
                    id="myfeed-section-screens"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/screens.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Screens</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="quiz"
                    id="myfeed-section-quiz"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/quiz.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Quizzes</span>
                </div>
                                <div
                    class="section-option "
                    data-section="change-generation"
                    id="myfeed-section-change-generation"
                >
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/change-generation.png" />
                    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/myfeed/tick.png" class="section-tick" />
                    <span>Change Generation</span>
                </div>
                            <div class="buttons">
                <div class="btn btn-action inactive">
                    Create my newsfeed
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div class="my-feed-close">
        <span></span>
    </div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
    $( document ).ready(function() {
        // accepts if on feed river
        myfeedSelector.init(0);
    });
</script>
        <div id="fb-root"></div>
        <div id="nightmode-switch" class="nightmode-toggle">
    <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/nightmode/moon.png" width="40" height="40"/>
</div>
<div id="notify-container">
    <div>
        <span class="notify-close icon icon16 icon16CloseX">
            <a title="dismiss this notification">&nbsp;</a>
        </span>
        <span class="notify-text">
            TheJournal.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. <a href="/cookies-policy/" rel="external" target="_blank">Click here to find out more »</a>        </span>
    </div>
</div>


        <div class="masthead content">
            <ul class="publications">
                <li class="main">
        <div>
            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/">
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/logo.png" width="256" height="46" class="color_logo"/>
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal/white-logo.png" class="print_hidden" />
            </a>
        </div>
    </li>
    <li class="businessETC"><a href="http://www.fora.ie">Business ETC</a></li><li class="theScore"><a href="http://www.the42.ie/">The42</a></li><li class="theDailyEdge"><a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/">The Daily Edge</a></li>                <li class="search">
                    <form action="http://www.thejournal.ie/submit.php" method="get" class="searchForm" id="searchForm">
                        <input type="text" name="st" id="search" value=""/>
                        <label for="search">Search site</label>
                        <button type="submit" class="icon iconSearch">Search</button>
                    </form>
                </li>
            </ul>
            <div class="today">
                <span class="weather">
                    <a title="Partly sunny" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/weather/">
                        Dublin: 3 &deg;C
                    </a>
                    <img style="margin-left:8px" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/weather-icons/xsmall/35.png" width="25" height="25">
                </span>
                <span class="date">Saturday 17 February, 2018</span>
                <span class="user-icon" id="user-icons">
                <a href="/user/" id="user_icon_box"><span id="user_icon_img"></span><span class="user-name" id="user_icon_name"></span></a>                </span>
            </div>
        </div>
        <div class="mainContainer content">
        <div id="header_leaderboard_container">
    <center id="header_leaderboard" class="header_leaderboard article_leaderboard">
        <span class="information">Advertisement</span>
                    <script>
                var defaultSpacing = "101";
                if(window.localStorage) {
                    var lastBanner = localStorage.getItem('last_masthead_ad_size');
                    if(lastBanner == 'billboard') {
                        defaultSpacing = "261";
                    }
                    else if(lastBanner == 'none') {
                        defaultSpacing = "11";
                    }
                }
                document.write('<div id="leaderboard_height_spacer" style="width:1px; float:left; display:inline; height:'+defaultSpacing+'px"></div>');
            </script>
            <div id='div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-2'>
<script type='text/javascript'>
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-2'); });
</script>
</div>    </center>
</div>
            <div class="container navigation ">
                <ul class="menu tablecell">
                                            <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie" class="homepage active icon iconHomepage">Homepage</a></li>
                    <li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/irish/">Irish</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/politics/">Politics</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/international/">International</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/voices/">Voices</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/family/">Family</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/culture/">Culture</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/tech/">Tech</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/business/">Business</a></li><li><a href="/my-feed/" class="">My Feed</a></li>                </ul>
                                <a href="#feed-popup" class="rss icon iconRss lightboxTrigger" title="Subscribe to RSS feed">RSS</a>
            </div>
                        
<div class="mainContent container">

    <div class="river span-8" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Article" id="scroll-header">


<meta itemprop="image" content="http://c1.thejournal.ie/media/2017/09/preeti-752x501.png" />
<div class="sectionSeparator dropdown dropdownTags">
        <h3>Tags</h3>

        <ul class="tags tablecell">
                                    <li>
                            <a class="tag" rel="tag" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel/news/">fangtooth snake-eel</a>
                        </li>
                                                <li>
                            <a class="tag" rel="tag" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/hurricane-harvey/news/">HURRICANE HARVEY</a>
                        </li>
                                                <li>
                            <a class="tag" rel="tag" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/mystery-solved/news/">Mystery Solved</a>
                        </li>
                                                <li>
                            <a class="tag" rel="tag" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/texas/news/">Texas</a>
                        </li>
                                </ul>
        <a class="dropdownHandle" href="#" title="See other tags"><span class="icon iconDropdownClosed">See other tags</span></a>
        <div class="dropdownContent">
            <h3>Tags</h3>
        </div>
</div>
<div class="post postMain  postMainLandscape">

    

    <h1 itemprop="headline">'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey</h1>
    	<h2 class="main_excerpt" itemprop="description">Preeti Desai shared the image on Twitter and the scientific community responded to solve the mystery.</h2>

        <div class="infos border">
            <div class="metadata">
                <div class="print_hidden">
                    <span>
                        By <span class="print-author">Sean Murray</span>
                    </span>
                    <span class="date">Thursday 14 Sep 2017, 10:18 PM</span>
                </div>
                <span class="date screen_only">
                                        Sep 14th 2017, 10:18 PM                </span>
                <span class="views">
                    <span class="red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular"></span>60,622 Views                </span>
                <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/#comments" title="Comment on 'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey" class="comments-count">
                    <span class="icon iconCommentVeryPopular"></span> 28 Comments                </a>
                <div class="meta-link print_hidden">
                    <span>
                        http://jrnl.ie/3598546                    </span>
                </div>
            </div>
            <span class="share"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=116141121768215&display=popup&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejournal.ie%2Ffangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017%2F&picture=http%3A%2F%2Fc1.thejournal.ie%2Fmedia%2F2017%2F09%2Fpreeti-197x197.png&name=%27What+the+heck+is+this%3F%27+Fanged+sea+creature+washes+up+on+Texas+beach+after+Hurricane+Harvey&description=Preeti+Desai+shared+the+image+on+Twitter+and+the+scientific+community+responded+to+solve+the+mystery.&message=&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fthejournal.ie%2Futils%2Ffb_post.php%3Fp_id%3D3598546 " target="_blank" title="Share on Facebook" class="open-window social"><span class="icon iconFacebook"></span> Share<span class="number">37</span></a> <a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjrnl.ie%2F3598546&text=%27What+the+heck+is+this%3F%27+Fanged+sea+creature+washes+up+on+Texas+beach+after+Hurricane+Harvey+%28via+%40thejournal_ie%29&related=@thejournal_ie" target="_blank" title="Tweet this" class="open-window social share-twitter twitter-tweet jrnl-tweet-3598546"><span class="icon iconTwitter"></span> Tweet</a> <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/#EmailArticle" title="Email this article" class="social share-email lightboxTrigger"><span class="icon iconEmailSend"></span> Email<span class="number">1</span></a></span>        </div>
        <div class="text" itemprop="articleBody">
        
            <!-- Text content -->

            <div id="articleContent">

                <p>A LARGE SEA creature with fangs that washed up on a Texas beach in the wake of Hurricane Harvey has been identified as a fangtooth snake-eel.</p>
<p>Twitter user Preeti Desai shared the images of the fish on the beach in Texas City, and sought help in identifying it.</p>
<p>She asked: “Okay, biology Twitter, what the heck is this?”</p>

<p><span class="journal_embed_container parent_aligncenter" style="" ><span class="journal_caption_container"><span class="journal_caption_container"><img src="http://img2.thejournal.ie/inline/3598555/original/?width=468&version=3598555" alt="desai" class="aligncenter inline-image"  /></span><span class="journal_credit">
    Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/preetalina/status/905578912348024834" >Preeti Desai</a>/Twitter</span></span></span></p>
<p>It was eel specialist Dr Kenneth Tighe who solved the mystery, identifying it as the fangtooth snake-eel. A friend had seen her post and put her in touch with Dr Tighe.</p>
<p>It is believed that Hurricane Harvey – with its incredibly strong winds – could have brought the eel that far from its usual waters in the western Atlantic ocean.</p>
<p>Desai <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41256922">told the BBC</a>: “It was completely unexpected, it’s not something that you’d typically see on a beach.</p>
<blockquote class="coloured">
<div>I thought it could be something from the deep sea that might have washed on to shore. My main reaction was curiosity, to figure out what the heck it was.</div>
</blockquote>
<p>“I follow a lot scientists and researchers,” she said. “There’s such a great community of these folks that are very helpful, especially when it comes to answering questions about the world or identifying animals and plants.”</p>
<p>She said left the eel on the beach to “let nature take its course”.</p>
<h3>Read: <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/white-giraffes-3597564-Sep2017/">Two rare and magnificent white giraffes have been spotted in Kenya</a>
</h3>
<h3>Read: <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/climate-change-opinion-communication-3592938-Sep2017/">‘Hurricanes and flooding show we have to talk about climate change – now’</a>
</h3>

                
            </div>

            

            <span id="follow_connect_box">
                            </span>
            <div id="social_connect_holder">
  <div id="facebook_social_connect" class="social_connects">
    <div style="background:#e4eff4; width:650px; margin-top:15px; margin-bottom:15px; position:relative;clear:both">
        <div style="background:#e4eff4; padding: 10px; margin-bottom:20px; width:380px;">
            <img src="https://graph.facebook.com/v2.3/137576076262825/picture?type=large" width="65" height="65" style="float:left; display:inline; margin-right:10px">
            <div>
                <div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size:12px; line-height:18px; margin-top:0px">
                    Get breaking news from <i>TheJournal.ie</i> via Facebook.<br>Just click Like.</i>
                </div>
                <div style="position:relative; top:0px; width:250px; overflow:hidden; margin-top:6px">
                    <fb:like href="http://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie" layout="standard" ref="articlebutton" show_faces="false" width="240" height="160" font="" class=" fb_edge_widget_with_comment fb_iframe_widget"></fb:like>
                </div>
            </div>
            <div class="clear_left"></div>
        </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  </div>
            <p class="riverblock" style="clear:both; margin-top:10px;">
    <center>
    <div id='div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-1'>
<script type='text/javascript'>
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-1'); });
</script>
</div>    </center>
</p>
        </div>


        <div class="clearfix">
            <!-- Short URL -->
            <div class="shortUrl">
                <label for="shortUrl">Short URL</label>
                <input type="text" name="shortURL" id="shortURL" value="http://jrnl.ie/3598546" />
            </div>
            <!-- /Short URL -->
        </div>

        <!-- Sharing -->
        <ul class="sharingBar tablecell"><li><a target="_blank" class="open-window twitter-tweet jrnl-tweet-3598546" href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjrnl.ie%2F3598546&text=%27What+the+heck+is+this%3F%27+Fanged+sea+creature+washes+up+on+Texas+beach+after+Hurricane+Harvey+%28via+%40thejournal_ie%29&related=@thejournal_ie"><span class="icon iconTwitter"></span>Tweet this</a></li><li><a target="_blank" class="open-window" href="http://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=116141121768215&display=popup&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejournal.ie%2Ffangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017%2F&picture=http%3A%2F%2Fc1.thejournal.ie%2Fmedia%2F2017%2F09%2Fpreeti-197x197.png&name=%27What+the+heck+is+this%3F%27+Fanged+sea+creature+washes+up+on+Texas+beach+after+Hurricane+Harvey&description=Preeti+Desai+shared+the+image+on+Twitter+and+the+scientific+community+responded+to+solve+the+mystery.&message=&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fthejournal.ie%2Futils%2Ffb_post.php%3Fp_id%3D3598546"><span class="icon iconFacebook"></span>Share on Facebook</a></li><li><a class="lightboxTrigger" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/#EmailArticle" title="Email this article"><span class="icon iconEmail"></span>Email this article</a></li><li><div id="plusoneholder" style="display:block;text-align:center;line-height:40px;border-left: 1px solid white;font-weight: bold;color: #6D7177;">
<!-- Place this tag where you want the +1 button to render. -->
<div id="plusoneiconholder" style="margin-right: 0px;float:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align: middle;">
<div class="g-plusone" data-size="small"></div>

<!-- Place this tag after the last +1 button tag. -->
<script type="text/javascript">
  (function() {
    var po = document.createElement('script'); po.type = 'text/javascript'; po.async = true;
    po.src = 'https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(po, s);
  })();
</script>
</div>
&nbsp;
</div></li></ul>        <!-- /Sharing -->



    </div>

                <!-- About the author v2 -->
        <div class="articleExtraDetails clearfix border">            <div class="author_info">
                <h4>About the author:</h4>
                <div class="author_avatar" >
                                                <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/sean-murray/4678/">
                                <img src="https://f2.thejournal.ie/media/2016/11/Sean-Byline-Pic-133x133.png" height="70" width="70">                            </a>
                                        </div>
                <div class="author_details">
                    <div class="print_hidden section_lead">About the author</div>
                    <div class="contact_box auth_named_desc">
                        <span class="name">
                            Sean Murray                        </span>
                                            </div>
                                                <div class="contact_box">
                                <a href="http://twitter.com/SeanMJourno">
                                    <span class="icon iconTwitter author_icon"></span>@SeanMJourno                                </a>
                            </div>
                                                        <div class="contact_box">
                                <a href="mailto:sean@thejournal.ie">
                                    <span class="icon iconEmailSmall"></span><span class="contact_link">sean@thejournal.ie</span>
                                </a>
                            </div>
                            </div>                    <div class="contact_box clear_left_contact">
                        <a rel="author" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/sean-murray/4678/"><span class="icon iconAuthorMore"></span>See more articles by Sean Murray</a>
                    </div>
                            </div>
                        <div class="post_info">
                <h4>Contribute to this story:</h4>
                <div class="story_contribution">
                                            <div class="contact_box">
                            <a href="#respond"><span class="icon iconCommentBubble"></span>Leave a Comment</a>
                        </div>
                                        <div class="contact_box">
                        <a href="#SubmitNews" class="lightboxTriggerPhotos" title="Send a Photo / Video"><span class="icon iconPhotoTip"></span>Send a Photo&nbsp;/&nbsp;Video</a>
                    </div>
                    <div class="contact_box">
                        <a href="#SubmitNews" class="lightboxTriggerText showTextOnly" title="Send a Tip"><span class="icon iconTipLink"></span>Send a Tip</a>
                    </div>
                    <div class="contact_box">
                        <a class="lightboxTrigger" href="#ReportContent" title="Corrections"><span class="icon iconCorrectionLink"></span>Send a Correction</a>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
        <!-- /About the author -->
        

    <input type="hidden" id="js-show-inline-river">
    <input type="hidden" id="js-supplement-icon" value="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/magazine/magazine_icon.png">
    <input type="hidden" id="js-debug-inline-river" value="">

    <div id="inline-river" class="read_next_block in_article clearfix border" style="display: none;"></div>

            <div id="taboola-adverts" class="read_next_block in_article clearfix border" style="display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;">

                                        <div id="taboola-autosized-1r"></div>
                <script type="text/javascript">
                window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
                window._taboola.push({mode: "autosized-1r", container: "taboola-autosized-1r"});
                </script>
                    </div>
        
<div id="storage_read_next_bottom" class="read_next_block in_article clearfix " >
    <h3>Read next:</h3>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
    var newest_articles = [{"id":3849255,"title":"'A lot of money to the ordinary Joe soap': Millions overpaid and hundreds of data breaches at civil service HR system","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/peoplepoint-civil-service-3849255-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>9,041 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/civil-service\/news\/","name":"Civil Service"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/peoplepoint-civil-service-3849255-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/shutterstock_367090148-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856868,"title":"Donald and Melania Trump travel in separate cars amid affair claims from Playboy model","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/donald-trump-melania-trump-3856868-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>30,662 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/on-his-tobler\/news\/","name":"on his tobler"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/donald-trump-melania-trump-3856868-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c0.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/trump-departs-for-florida-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856742,"title":"McDonald: 'If the DUP crashed this thinking that they would return to the bosom of direct rule, they thought wrong'","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/mcdonald-northern-ireland-talks-direct-rule-3856742-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>14,073 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/deal-or-no-deal\/news\/","name":"Deal or no deal"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/mcdonald-northern-ireland-talks-direct-rule-3856742-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c0.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/stormont-powersharing-talks-6-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856843,"title":"Plain-clothes litter wardens operating in Wexford parks to catch out irresponsible dog owners","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/dogs-litter-wexford-3856843-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>9,354 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/the-turd-degree\/news\/","name":"the turd degree"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/dogs-litter-wexford-3856843-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/shutterstock_130726016-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856791,"title":"Here's What Happened Today: Friday","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/news-fix-friday-37-3856791-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>13,552 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/news-fix\/news\/","name":"News Fix"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/news-fix-friday-37-3856791-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c3.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/nicky-kehoe-case-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856761,"title":"Irish people spent over \u20ac1.3 billion on internet shopping last year - most of us used our debit cards","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/debit-cards-pubs-3856761-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>7,919 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/news\/","name":null},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/debit-cards-pubs-3856761-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/shutterstock_454100440-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3855618,"title":"The \u20ac116 billion Project Ireland 2040: Where is the money coming from?","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/project-ireland-whos-paying-3855618-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>10,775 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/whos-paying\/news\/","name":"Who's paying?"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/project-ireland-whos-paying-3855618-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c3.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/shutterstock_110672861-8-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""}];
    var popular_articles = [{"id":3851960,"title":"DAFT.IE PROPERTY MAGAZINE","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/river\/daft-ie-property-magazine-2472923-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"views icon iconView\"><\/span>28 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/news\/","name":null},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/river\/daft-ie-property-magazine-2472923-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/674f1a12c71fdeccea1aff44aa6d9753-2-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3855030,"title":"Murder investigation opened into death of Joanne Lee","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/joanne-lee-body-3855030-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>126,601 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/suspicious-death\/news\/","name":"Suspicious death"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/joanne-lee-body-3855030-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c3.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/27857747_10155802250958001_4032250012669585075_n-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856261,"title":"You won't be able to buy a petrol or diesel car in Ireland after 2030","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/electric-cars-ireland-2045-3856261-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>70,198 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/off-the-road\/news\/","name":"Off the Road"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/electric-cars-ireland-2045-3856261-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/shutterstock_406216177-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""},{"id":3856043,"title":"Rugby rape trial: Rory Harrison told police alleged victim was 'fixated on' Paddy Jackson","permalink":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/rory-harrison-paddy-jackson-rape-trial-belfast-3856043-Feb2018\/","stats":"<span class=\"red-views icon iconViewVeryPopular\"><\/span>63,036 Views","primary_tag":{"slug":"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/belfast-crown-court\/news\/","name":"belfast crown court"},"image":"<div id=\"read_next_banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thejournal.ie\/rory-harrison-paddy-jackson-rape-trial-belfast-3856043-Feb2018\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/c1.thejournal.ie\/media\/2018\/02\/rugby-players-court-case-7-290x120.jpg\"  id=\"r_n_image\" \/><\/a><\/div>","no_image":""}];

    if( typeof(current_post_id) != 'undefined' && !isNaN(current_post_id))
    {
        var current_article_id = current_post_id;
    }
    else
    {
        var current_article_id = 3598546;
    }

    jQuery(document).ready(function($){
        var div_read_next = $('#storage_read_next_bottom');
        readNext.display_read_next_block(div_read_next);
    });
-->
</script>
<div class="lightboxes">
    <div id="EmbedArticle" class="lightbox">
            <h1 class="form-element border">Embed this post</h1>
            <p class="">To embed this post, copy the code below on your site</p>
            <p class="">
                <label for="embedWide600">600px wide</label>
                <textarea name="embedWide600" id="embedWide600">&lt;iframe width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;460&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; style=&quot;border:0px;&quot; src=&quot;http://www.thejournal.ie/http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?embedpost=3598546&amp;width=600&amp;height=460&quot; &gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</textarea>
            </p>
            <p class="">
                <label for="embedWide400">400px wide</label>
                <textarea name="embedWide400" id="embedWide400">&lt;iframe width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;460&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; style=&quot;border:0px;&quot; src=&quot;http://www.thejournal.ie/http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?embedpost=3598546&amp;width=400&amp;height=460&quot; &gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</textarea>
            </p>
            <p class="">
                <label for="embedWide300">300px wide</label>
                <textarea name="embedWide300" id="embedWide300">&lt;iframe width=&quot;600&quot; height=&quot;460&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; style=&quot;border:0px;&quot; src=&quot;http://www.thejournal.ie/http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?embedpost=3598546&amp;width=300&amp;height=460&quot; &gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</textarea>
            </p>
    </div>

    
<div id="EmailArticle" class="lightbox emailArticle">
    <form id="email-popup-form" method="post" >
        <input type="hidden" name="post_id" value="3598546" />
        <input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_email_form" />
        <input type="hidden" name="_csrf_token_645a83a41868941e4692aa31e7235f2" value="f271104aa0b8ac4d09e5b5673f1ec0656599d9c1">
        <h1 class="form-element border">Email &ldquo;'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey&rdquo;.</h1>
        <div class="form-element clearfix">
            <div class="info-block">
                <div class="form-element">
                    <label for="yourEmail">Your Email</label>
                    <input type="email" class="text" id="yourEmail" name="email-from" />
                </div>
            </div>
            <div class="info-block recipient-info">
                <div class="form-element">
                    <label for="yourEmail">Recipient's Email</label>
                    <input type="email" class="text" id="yourEmail" name="email-to" />
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class="clearfix">
            <button
                class="buttonSubmit g-recaptcha"
                data-sitekey="6LcKhBwUAAAAAPpO_djOuuNyHQadPwsgkYCXtCho"
                data-callback="reCaptchaSubmit">Submit</button>
            <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif"  width="16" height="16"  class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
        </div>

    </form>
</div>

    <div id="AlertAuthor" class="lightbox alertAuthor">
        <form id="alert-author-popup-form" method="post">
            <input type="hidden" name="post_id" value="3598546" />
            <input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_alert_form" />
            <h1 class="form-element border">Feedback on &ldquo;'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey&rdquo;.</h1>

            <div class="form-element message">
                <div id="AlertAuthorMessage" class="field">
                    <label for="AlertAuthorMessage">Your Feedback</label>
                    <textarea name="message" id="AlertAuthorMessage"></textarea>
                </div>
            </div>
                        <div class="form-element">
                <label for="yourEmail">Your Email (optional)</label>
                <input type="email" class="text" id="yourEmail" name="email-from" />
            </div>
                        <div class="clearfix">
                <button class="buttonSubmit" type="submit">Submit</button>
                <img src=""  width="16" height="16" class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
            </div>
        </form>
    </div>
    
    
    
    <div id="ReportComment" class="lightbox alertAuthor">
        <form id="report-comment-popup-form" method="post">
            <input type="hidden" name="post_id" value="3598546" />
            
            <input type="hidden" name="action" value="comment_actions" />
            
            <input type="hidden" name="flag_comment" value="" id="report_comment_id" />
            <h1 class="form-element border">Report a Comment</h1>

            <div class="form-element message">
                <label for="yourEmail">Please select the reason for reporting this comment.</label>
                <select name="report_comment_reason" id="report_comment_reason">
                    <option value="">
                        Please select your reason for reporting...
                    </option>
                    <option value="no_like">
                        You don't like this comment, or you disagree with this commenter
                    </option>
                    <option value="offensive">
                        It contains offensive language, is hateful or incites violence
                    </option>
                    <option value="libel">
                        It contains a libelous/defamatory statement
                    </option>
                    <option value="other">
                        Some other reason...
                    </option>
                </select>
            </div>

            <div class="form-element message">
                <div class="field">
                    <label>Please give full details of the problem with the comment...</label>
                    <textarea name="message" id="report_comment_details" style="height:100px"></textarea>
                </div>
            </div>
            
                        <div class="form-element">
                <label for="yourEmail">Your Email</label>
                <input type="email" class="text" id="report_comment_email" name="email-from" />
            </div>
                        <div class="clearfix">
                <button class="buttonSubmit" type="submit">Submit</button>
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif"  width="16" height="16" class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
            </div>
        </form>
    </div>
</div>
<div id="comments">
    <h2>COMMENTS (28)    </h2>
        <div class="policy">
        This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy <a href="/comments-policy/" target="_BLANK">here</a> before taking part.
    </div>
    <a class="big-button" href="#respond">write a comment</a>
        <ul class="commentList border">
    </ul>
</div>
    <div id="respond">
        <h2><span id="respond-title">Leave a comment</span><span id="respond-cancel">cancel</span></h2>
        <form action="/submit.php" method="post" class="" id="commentform">
            <input type="hidden" name="redirect" value="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/">
            <input type="hidden" name="action" value="new_comment">
            <input type="hidden" name="auth_service" value="">
                <div class="login" id="user_login_box">
        <div id="comment-user-details">
            <span class="empty-user">
                <span class="icon-user-circle">
                    <span class="comment-icon icon-user">
                    </span>
                </span>
                Log in with:            </span>
            <div id="alt-login-methods">
                                <p>
                    <span>
                        <span class="social-login facebook-login label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('facebook', false, 'false')">
                            Facebook
                        </span>
                    </span>
                </p>
                                <p>
                    <span class="social-login twitter-login label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('twitter', false, 'false')">
                        Twitter
                    </span>
                </p>
                                <p>
                    <img id="auth_loading" class="login_loading_throb" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif">
                </p>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
            <div class="login" id="user_details"  style="display: none;">
                <div id="comment-user-details" >
    <span class="icon-user-circle">
        <img src="" id="user_details_img" width="50" height="50" />
    </span>
    <div class="user-text">
        <span class="user-name">
            <span id="user_details_name"></span>
        </span>
        <span class="user-logout">
            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/logout.php?callback=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.thejournal.ie%252Ffangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017%252F">Log out</a>
        </span>
        <span class="user-service">
        Logged in with <span id="user_details_auth"></span>
        </span>
    </div>
</div>
            </div>
            <textarea name="comment" id="comment"></textarea>
            <div id="commentExtraFields">
                <div id="comment_options">
                                            <label id="share_comment_cbox_label" for="share_comment_cbox">Share Comment on Facebook or Twitter</label>
                        <span id="share_comment_cbox_twitter" class="hidden" title="Send Comment to Twitter"></span>
                        <span id="share_comment_cbox_facebook" class="hidden" title="Share Comment on Facebook"></span>
                        <input style="width: auto;" type="checkbox" name="share_comment" id="share_comment_cbox" value="1"  checked="checked">
                        
                    <div class="subscribe-to-comments-options hidden" id="sub-to-comment">
                        <p style="clear: both;" class="email_notification_block">
                            <label for="subscribe">Notify me of followup comments via e-mail</label>
                            <input type="checkbox" name="subscribe" id="subscribe" value="subscribe" style="width: auto;" >
                        </p>
                    </div>
                </div>
                <input type="text" name="email" value="" id="comment-email" size="50" style="height:20px">
            </div>
            <div class="commentSubmitFields">
                <img id="commentLoading" class="hidden" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif">
                <button class="comment-submit" type="">
                    Post Comment
                </button>
                <input type="hidden" name="comment_post_ID" value="3598546" id="comment_post_ID">
                <input type="hidden" name="comment_parent" id="comment_parent" value="0">
            </div>
        </form>
        <span id="comments_js">
        </span>
        <div style="clear:both"></div>
    </div>

</div><div id="scroll-sidebar"><div class="read_next_block sidebar" id="storage_read_next_widget">
        <h3>Read Next:</h3>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
    jQuery(document).ready(function($){
        var widget_read_next = $('#storage_read_next_widget');
        readNext.display_read_next_sidebar(widget_read_next);
    });
-->
</script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<div class="sidebar span-4 last" id="sidebar-holder">
<div id="text-17" class="widget widget_text">
    <div class="sectionSeparator widget-facebook-box">
        <div class="textwidget">
        <div id="facebooklikebox">

        <!--div class="fb-like-box" data-href="http://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie" data-width="310" data-height="250" data-show-faces="true" data-stream="false" data-header="false"></div-->

        </div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var FBiframe='<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie&amp;width=310&amp;connections=10&amp;stream=false&amp;small_header=true&amp;header=false&amp;height=150" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:310px; height:150px;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>'// Deferred load of the Facebook like box
$(document).ready(function() {
    $('#facebooklikebox').append(FBiframe);
});

</script>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>
<div class="advert adserverad">
<div id='div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-0'>
<script type='text/javascript'>
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1365092406213-0'); });
</script>
</div></div>
    <div class="widget">
        <div class="sectionSeparator">
        <h3>Download our app</h3>
        </div>
        <div class="widgetContent" style="height:75px; margin:0px;  padding:0px">
            <div class="single_app_link" style="margin-top:5px; width:100%">

                <span style="float:left; margin-left: 15px">
                    <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/thejournal-ie/id409359491?mt=8" title="Download the TheJournal.ie for the iPhone, iPad and iPod">
                        <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/itunes_icon.png" class="itunes_image" width="134" height="45" />
                        <!--span class="app_link_text app_link_text_ios">Get our free app for<br/>the iPhone & iPad</span-->
                    </a>
                </span>
                <span style="float:right; margin-right:5px">
                    <a href="http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.distilledmedia.thejournal" title="Download the TheJournal.ie for Android">
                        <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/android_get_it_on_play_logo_small.png" class="itunes_image" width="129" height="45" />
                        <!--span class="app_link_text app_link_text_android">Also available in<br/>the Android Market</span-->
                    </a>
                </span>

            </div>

            <!--div style="padding:10px 20px 0; clear:both; line-height:1em">
            <h3>Top Features:</h3>
            <ul>
                <li>5x faster loading of articles
                <li>In-flight/offline reading
                <li>Swipe between articles & photos
                <li>Live-scores from rugby and football matches
            </ul>

            </div-->

        </div>
    </div>

    
</div>
<!-- /Sidebar -->
</div><script>_pool.push(['add', ['_dml', 'science']]);_pool.push(['add', ['_dml', 'science7', 10080]]);_pool.push(['add', ['_dml', 'thejournal']]);_pool.push(['add', ['_dml', 'thejournal7', 10080]]);</script>    <!-- Latest Opinions -->
    <div class="trendingTags span-12" id="scroll-footer">
        <div class="sectionSeparator">
            <h3>Trending Opinions</h3>
        </div>
                <div class="footer_lo">
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <td class="footer_lo_avatar">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/colmán-Ó'drisceoil/"><img src="https://f3.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/IMG-20180214-WA0003-12-133x133.jpg" alt="Colmán Ó'Drisceoil" width="60" height="60"  class="footer_lo_avatar" /></a>
                    </td>
                    <td class="footer_lo_article">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-gaelscoils-irish-interview-3853446-Feb2018/" class="article">'Let's be accurate: There's no proposal to bring in new interviews in Irish for Gaelscoils'</a><br />
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/colmán-Ó'drisceoil/" class="author">Colmán Ó'Drisceoil</a>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
            <div class="footer_lo footer_lo_2nd_row">
                <a class="excerpt" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-gaelscoils-irish-interview-3853446-Feb2018/">&#8216;The policy affects the allocation of less than 1% of places in Gaelscoileanna but is of vital importance to the minority of native speakers involved&#8217;, writes Colmán Ó&#8217;Drisceoil.</a>
            </div>
        </div>
                <div class="footer_lo">
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <td class="footer_lo_avatar">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/margaret-kennedy/"><img src="https://f3.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/DSC09792-133x133.jpg" alt="Margaret Kennedy" width="60" height="60"  class="footer_lo_avatar" /></a>
                    </td>
                    <td class="footer_lo_article">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/pain-versatis-patches-3849715-Feb2018/" class="article">'I live in enduring, constant severe pain - Versatis patches made things bearable'</a><br />
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/margaret-kennedy/" class="author">Margaret Kennedy</a>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
            <div class="footer_lo footer_lo_2nd_row">
                <a class="excerpt" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/pain-versatis-patches-3849715-Feb2018/">I&#8217;m sick of the medical &#8216;power and control&#8217; that give us little choice and expect us to suffer, writes Margaret Kennedy.</a>
            </div>
        </div>
                <div class="footer_lo">
            <table>
                <tr>
                    <td class="footer_lo_avatar">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/david-morrison/"><img src="https://f2.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/Square-DM-HD-133x133.jpg" alt="David Morrison" width="60" height="60"  class="footer_lo_avatar" /></a>
                    </td>
                    <td class="footer_lo_article">
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/phone-adverts-benefits-3840387-Feb2018/" class="article">Do you know where the adverts on your phone about the Eighth Amendment are coming from?</a><br />
                        <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/author/david-morrison/" class="author">David Morrison</a>
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
            <div class="footer_lo footer_lo_2nd_row">
                <a class="excerpt" href="http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/phone-adverts-benefits-3840387-Feb2018/">Every impression designed to appeal to the emotions of its audience is gold in the coffers of the advertising platforms, writes Davis Morrison. </a>
            </div>
        </div>
            </div>
    <!-- /Latest Opinions -->
    <!-- Most popular today -->
    <div class="trendingTags span-12" id="">
        <div class="sectionSeparator">
			<h3>Most Popular Today</h3>
		</div>
                <div class="footer_mp">
            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/">
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thejournal-trending.png" alt="TheJournal.ie" id="footer_mp_section_thejournal" />
            </a>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thejournal">
                                1                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/joanne-lee-body-3855030-Feb2018/">Murder investigation opened into death of Joanne Lee</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">126,590</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">62</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thejournal">
                                2                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/electric-cars-ireland-2045-3856261-Feb2018/">You won't be able to buy a petrol or diesel car in Ireland after 2030</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">70,181</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">139</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thejournal">
                                3                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/rory-harrison-paddy-jackson-rape-trial-belfast-3856043-Feb2018/">Rugby rape trial: Rory Harrison told police alleged victim was 'fixated on' Paddy Jackson</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">63,022</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthejournal"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thejournal">0</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                    </div>
                <div class="footer_mp">
            <a href="https://fora.ie/">
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/fora-trending.png" alt="Fora" id="footer_mp_section_businessetc" />
            </a>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="businessetc">
                                1                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="https://fora.ie/dart-underground-delayed-again-3856380-Feb2018/">The long-awaited Dart Underground looks to have been delayed again</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">245</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">0</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="businessetc">
                                2                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="https://fora.ie/readme/barry-kerrigan-meats-3855794-Feb2018/">'When someone with a shotgun asks for your money, you give it over and say don't shoot'</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">211</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">0</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="businessetc">
                                3                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="https://fora.ie/project-ireland-2-3856132-Feb2018/">Project Ireland 2040: These are all the key points you need to know</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">162</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsbusinessetc"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_businessetc">0</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                    </div>
                <div class="footer_mp">
            <a href="http://www.the42.ie/">
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/the42-trending.png" alt="The42" id="footer_mp_section_thescore" />
            </a>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thescore">
                                1                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.the42.ie/damian-browne-atlantic-row-3855076-Feb2018/">After 64 days at sea ex-Connacht and Leinster lock Browne completes epic row across Atlantic</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">35,278</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">19</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thescore">
                                2                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.the42.ie/west-brom-taxi-incident-players-barcelona-investigation-3856082-Feb2018/">Four West Brom players apologise after allegedly stealing a taxi in Barcelona and driving it to McDonald's</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">26,174</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">40</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thescore">
                                3                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.the42.ie/tadhg-beirne-scarlets-leinster-munster-ireland-3853319-Feb2018/">From delivering pizzas to delivering medals: Tadhg Beirne's momentum has been hard-won</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">23,586</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthescore"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thescore">31</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                    </div>
                <div class="footer_mp">
            <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/">
                <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/thedailyedge-trending.png" alt="DailyEdge.ie" id="footer_mp_section_thedailyedge" />
            </a>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thedailyedge">
                                1                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/rupaul-3856131-Feb2018/">RuPaul just tweeted as Gaeilge, and people are losing their minds</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">13,900</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">3</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thedailyedge">
                                2                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/jennifer-aniston-and-justin-theroux-split-3855081-Feb2018/">Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have publicly announced their split after two years of marriage </a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">8,218</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">4</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                            <table>
                    <tr>
                        <td class="footer_mp_number" valign="top">
                            <div class="thedailyedge">
                                3                            </div>
                        </td>
                        <td class="footer_mp_article" valign="top">
                            <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/amy-schumers-secret-wedding-over-the-weekend-3855336-Feb2018/">Amy Schumer had a secret wedding over the weekend with a huge celebrity guest-list... it's The Dredge</a>
                            <div class="footer_mp_views_comments">
                                <div>
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Viewsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">6,654</span>&nbsp;
                                    <span class="icon icon16 icon16Commentsthedailyedge"></span>
                                    <span class="footer_thedailyedge">0</span>

                                </div>
                            </div>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
                    </div>
                </div>
        <!-- /Most popular today -->
    <!-- Trending Tags -->
    <div class="trendingTags span-12">
        <div class="sectionSeparator">
            <h3>Trending Tags</h3>
        </div>
                            <div class="footer_tn">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconDoubleUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/blanchardstown/news/" class="tag_link">BLANCHARDSTOWN</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/blanchardstown-bike-scheme-3819759-Jan2018/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c0.thejournal.ie/media/2018/01/pastedimage-84146-150x100.png"
                                    alt="A dockless public bike scheme is coming to Blanchardstown"
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/blanchardstown-bike-scheme-3819759-Jan2018/">
                                        A dockless public bike scheme is coming to Blanchardstown                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/blanch-taxi-gang-whatsapp-3814949-Jan2018/">
                                        Gardaí on standby to help taxi drivers who raise alarm over suspicious passengers                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fsai-closures-december-3788055-Jan2018/">
                                        Meath pizzeria receives closure order after human excrement observed 'bubbling up through toilet bowl'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                                        <div class="footer_tn">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconDoubleUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/breath-tests/news/" class="tag_link">BREATH TESTS</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/policing-authority-breath-test-3713581-Nov2017/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c0.thejournal.ie/media/2017/11/26102011-launch-campaign-for-new-drink-driving-13-150x100.jpg"
                                    alt="Commissioner confirms no garda&Atilde;&shy; will be disciplined over breath test scandal"
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/policing-authority-breath-test-3713581-Nov2017/">
                                        Commissioner confirms no gardaí will be disciplined over breath test scandal                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/garda-breath-tests-3-3677619-Nov2017/">
                                        Two investigations later, there's no assurance garda scandals will not happen again                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/noel-cunningham-breath-test-report-3676670-Nov2017/">
                                        Garda Superintendent says new report of 400,000 more falsified breath tests 'could be described as a guesstimate'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                                        <div class="footer_tn">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/gardai/news/" class="tag_link">GARDAí</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/joanne-lee-body-3855030-Feb2018/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c3.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/27857747_10155802250958001_4032250012669585075_n-150x100.jpg"
                                    alt="Murder investigation opened into death of Joanne Lee"
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/joanne-lee-body-3855030-Feb2018/">
                                        Murder investigation opened into death of Joanne Lee                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/stabbing-portarlington-3855743-Feb2018/">
                                        Four men arrested after man is stabbed in Portarlington                                     </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/workplace-incident-kildare-3855619-Feb2018/">
                                        Man in his 20s dies in workplace incident in Kildare                                     </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                                        <div class="footer_tn">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin/news/" class="tag_link">DUBLIN</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/irish-teenagers-3855997-Feb2018/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c2.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/goth2-2-150x100.png"
                                    alt="This 80s footage of Irish teens explaining the difference Goths and Cureheads is amazing "
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/irish-teenagers-3855997-Feb2018/">
                                        This 80s footage of Irish teens explaining the difference Goths and Cureheads is amazing                                     </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-2040-housing-3855676-Feb2018/">
                                        Empty lots in cities to be snapped up to help achieve 35,000 new builds a year                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/labrador-cruelty-animal-3855047-Feb2018/">
                                        Owner receives lifetime ban from having a dog after labrador found in 'cruel' conditions                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                                        <div class="footer_tn">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/shooting/news/" class="tag_link">SHOOTING</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/belfast-murder-2-3855057-Feb2018/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c2.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/glenbawne-2-150x100.png"
                                    alt="Dissident republicans believed to have been behind murder of man in Belfast"
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/belfast-murder-2-3855057-Feb2018/">
                                        Dissident republicans believed to have been behind murder of man in Belfast                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.the42.ie/steve-kerr-florida-shooting-3854306-Feb2018/">
                                        Steve Kerr: 'It doesn't seem to matter to our government that children are being shot to death'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/donald-trump-florida-shooting-3854648-Feb2018/">
                                        Trump promises to tackle mental health, as he condemns Florida shooting as act of 'evil'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                                        <div class="footer_tn last">
                        <div class="footer_tn_tag">
                        <div id="arrows" style="float:right;position:relative;right:0px;"><span class="icon iconUp"></span></div>
                            <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/sinn-fein/news/" class="tag_link">SINN FéIN</a>
                        </div>
                                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/mcdonald-northern-ireland-talks-direct-rule-3856742-Feb2018/">
                                <img 
                                    src="http://c0.thejournal.ie/media/2018/02/stormont-powersharing-talks-6-150x100.jpg"
                                    alt="McDonald: 'If the DUP crashed this thinking that they would return to the bosom of direct rule, they thought wrong'"
                                    width="130" height="80" style="width: 130px; height: 80px;"
                                    class="footer_tn_article_img"
                                />
                            </a>
                                                        <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/mcdonald-northern-ireland-talks-direct-rule-3856742-Feb2018/">
                                        McDonald: 'If the DUP crashed this thinking that they would return to the bosom of direct rule, they thought wrong'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-2040-reactions-3856219-Feb2018/">
                                        'Mixed messages' 'Thumbs up' 'A cock-up': Here's some of the reactions to the government's grand plan for Ireland                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                                <div class="footer_tn_article last">
                                    <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/northern-ireland-talks-5-3852782-Feb2018/">
                                        McDonald: 'Three language acts were included in draft DUP deal, but no agreement on marriage equality'                                    </a>
                                </div>
                                                    </div>
                            </div>
    </div>
    <!-- /Trending Tags -->
        <!-- /Main content -->
        <!-- Footer -->
        <div class="footer background">
            <div id="server_identifier">
                <span title="Rendered at 2018-02-17 05:08:30 Europe/Dublin +0000 DST:0 on 201">
                                            &#8734;
                                        </span>
            </div>
            <div class="span-2">
                <h3 class="border">About Us</h3>
                <ul>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/about-us/">About Us</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://careers.thejournal.ie/">We're Hiring!</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/contact/">Contact Us</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://advertising.thejournal.ie">Advertise With Us</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="span-2">
                <h3 class="border">Follow Us</h3>
                <ul>
                    <li><a href="http://twitter.com/thejournal_ie">Twitter</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thejournal.ie">Facebook</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="span-2">
                <h3 class="border">Corrections</h3>
                <ul>
                    <li><a class="lightboxTrigger" href="#ReportContent" title="Corrections">Report Content</a></li>

                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="span-2">
                <h3 class="border">Policies</h3>
                <ul>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/terms/" title="Terms of Use">Terms of Use</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/privacy/" title="Privacy">Privacy</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/cookies-policy/" title="Cookies">Cookies</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/advertising-policy/" title="Advertising">Advertising</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/comments-policy/" title="Comments">Comments</a><!--<span class="icon iconUpdated"></span>--></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/copyright-policy/" title="Copyright">Copyright</a></li>
                    <li><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/competitions-terms-and-conditions/">Competition</a></li>
                </ul>
            </div>
            <div class="copyright span-4 last">
                <strong>Content copyright &copy; Journal Media Ltd. 2018</strong>
                Registered in Dublin, registration number: 483623.
                Registered office: 3rd floor, Latin Hall, Golden Lane, Dublin 8.
            </div>
            <div class="legal border span-12">
            <span class='PCI-footer-logo PCI-logo'></span>
            <p>
                <b><i>TheJournal.ie</i></b> is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports
                the Office of the Press Ombudsman.  This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the
                press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may
                have in relation to articles that appear on our pages.  To contact the Office of the
                Press Ombudsman Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or go to
                <a href='http://www.pressombudsman.ie' target="_blank">www.pressombudsman.ie</a>
                or <a href='http://www.presscouncil.ie' target="_blank">www.presscouncil.ie</a>
            </p>
            <p>Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/cookies-policy">cookies policy</a>.</p>
            <p>News images provided by <a href="http://www.pressassociation.com/images.html">Press Association</a> and <a href="http://www.photocallireland.com/">Photocall Ireland</a> unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by <a href="http://www.inpho.ie">Inpho Photography</a> unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/terms/?c=1#ap">Associated Press</a>.</p>

            <p>Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.</p>

            <p class="switcher"><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?switcher=touch" rel="nofollow">Switch to Mobile Site</a>  <span class="nightmode-toggle">| Night mode</span></p>
            <p class="distilled">Sites:
                <a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/">TheJournal.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://www.the42.ie/">The42.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://www.dailyedge.ie/">DailyEdge.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://fora.ie/">Fora.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://www.boards.ie/">Boards.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://www.adverts.ie/">Adverts.ie</a> |
                <a href="http://www.daft.ie/">Daft.ie</a>
            </p>
            </div>

        </div>

        <!-- /Footer -->

        </div>
        <!-- /Main container -->

        <!-- Lightboxes -->
    <div class="lightboxes">

<div id="SubmitNews" class="submitNews lightbox">

    <form action="http://www.thejournal.ie/ajax.php" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data" id="SubmitNewsForm">
        <input type="hidden" name="action" value="tip_post" />
        <input type="hidden" name="current_post_id" id="current_post_id" value="TheJournal.ie" />
        <h1 class="form-element border" id="share_tip_title">Blow the whistle or share a story</h1>
        <div class="form-element form-link border submitImage">
            <div class="upAddLinks">
                <a href="#uploadImage">Upload an image</a><!-- |
                <a href="#addImage">Add image URL</a>--></p>
            </div>
            <div class="actionField" id="uploadImage">
                <label for="uploadImage">Upload an image</label>
                <input type="file" id="uploadImage" name="image_upload" />
                <a href="#uploadImage" class="cancel">cancel</a>
            </div>
            <div class="actionField" id="addImage">
                <label for="addImage">Add an image URL</label>
                <input type="text" id="addImage" name="image_url" />
                <a href="#addImage" class="cancel">cancel</a>
            </div>
        </div>
        <div class="form-element form-link border submitVideo">
            <div class="upAddLinks">
                <a href="#uploadVideo">Upload a video</a> |
                <a href="#addVideo">Add YouTube video</a>
            </div>
            <div class="actionField" id="uploadVideo">
                <label for="uploadVideo">Upload a video</label>
                <input type="file" id="uploadVideo" name="video_upload" />
                <a href="#uploadVideo" class="cancel">cancel</a>
            </div>
            <div class="actionField" id="addVideo">
                <label for="addVideo">YouTube Address (URL):</label>
                <input type="text" id="addVideo" name="video_url" />
                <a href="#addVideo" class="cancel">cancel</a>
            </div>
        </div>
        <div class="form-element border yourStory clearfix">
            <textarea name="story" id="story"></textarea>
            <label for="email_tip" id="email_tip_label">Your email (optional)</label>
            <input type="text" name="email_tip" id="email_tip"></input>
            <button class="buttonSubmit" type="submit">Submit</button>
            <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif" width="16" height="16" class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
            <div class="thanks-message" id="tip-ty"></div>
        </div>
    </form>
    <p class="notice">Alternatively, you can email us at: <a href="mailto:tips@thejournal.ie">tips@thejournal.ie</a></p>

</div>

<div id="CommentLogIn" class="lightbox">
    <h1 class="border">Please log in to comment</h1>
    <div class="login-buttons clearfix">
        <div id="alt-login-methods">
            <p>
                <span>
                    <span class="facebook_connect_button label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('facebook', true, false)">
                        <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/fb-login.png" width="169" height="22" />
                    </span>
                </span>
            </p>
            <p>
                <span class="twitter_connect_button label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('twitter', true, false)">
                    <img width="151" height="24" border="0" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/tw-login.png">
                </span>
            </p>
            <p>
            <img id="main_page_login" class="login_loading_throb" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif">
            </p>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div id="TeamLogIn" class="lightbox">
    <h1 class="border">Please log in with facebook to become a fan</h1>
    <div class="login-buttons clearfix">
        <div id="alt-login-methods">
            <p class="sport-fb-login">
                <span>
                    <span class="facebook_connect_button label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('facebook', false, 'liketeam')">
                        <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/fb-login.png" width="169" height="22" />
                    </span>
                </span>
            </p>
            <p>
            <img id="main_page_login" class="login_loading_throb" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif">
            </p>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div id="SubmitNewsLogIn" class="lightbox">
    <h1 class="border">Please log in</h1>
    <div class="login-buttons clearfix">
        <div id="alt-login-methods">
            <p>
                <span>
                    <span class="facebook_connect_button label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('facebook', false, false)">
                        <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/fb-login.png" width="169" height="22" />
                    </span>
                </span>
            </p>
            <p>
                <span class="twitter_connect_button label" id="" onclick="jrnl_social_login('twitter', false, false)">
                    <img width="151" height="24" border="0" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/tw-login.png">
                </span>
            </p>
            <p>
            <img id="main_page_login" class="login_loading_throb" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif">
            </p>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

<div id="feed-popup" class="lightbox">

    <h1 class="border">RSS feeds available here:</h1>

    <div class="feedlist border">
<p class="rss"><a href="/feed/">TheJournal.ie Latest News Feed</a></p><p class="rss"><a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017//feed/">'What the heck is this?' Fanged sea creature washes up on Texas beach after Hurricane Harvey Comments</a></p>    </div>

</div>
<div id="ReportContent" class="lightbox reportContent">
    <form id="report-content-popup-form" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="current_page" value="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?utm_source=shortlink" />
        <input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_report_content_form" />
        <input type="hidden" name="article-id" value="3598546" />
        <h1 class="form-element border">Report an error, omission or problem:</h1>

        <div class="form-element message">
            <div id="AlertAuthorMessage" class="field">
                <label for="AlertAuthorMessage">Message:</label>
                <textarea name="message" id="AlertAuthorMessage"></textarea>
            </div>
        </div>

        <div class="form-element">
            <label for="yourEmail">Your Email (optional)</label>
            <input type="email" class="text" id="yourEmail" name="email-from" />
        </div>

        <div class="clearfix">
            <button class="buttonSubmit" type="submit">Submit</button>
            <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif"  width="16" height="16"  class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
        </div>

    </form>
</div>
<div id="EmailAlert" class="lightbox emailAlert">
    <form id="create-email-alert-form" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="current_page" value="http://www.thejournal.ie/fangtooth-snake-eel-3598546-Sep2017/?utm_source=shortlink" />
        <input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_create_email_alert_form" />
        <h1 class="form-element border">Create Email Alert</h1>
        <p>Create an email alert based on the current article</p>

        <div class="form-element">
            <label for="alertEmailAddress">Email Address</label>
            <input type="text" class="text" id="alertEmailAddress" name="email-address" />
        </div>

        <div class="form-element">
            <input type="radio" class="radio emailAlert" id="alertFrequencyDaily" name="alert-frequency" value="daily" checked="checked" />
            <label for="alertFrequencyDaily" class="emailAlert">One email every morning</label>
            <input type="radio" class="radio emailAlert" id="alertFrequencyInstantly" name="alert-frequency" value="instantly" />
            <label for="alertFrequencyInstantly" class="emailAlert">As soon as new articles come online</label>
        </div>

        <input type="hidden" name="ip-address" value="128.173.49.79" />
        <input type="hidden" name="feed-url" value="/topic//feed" />
        <input type="hidden" name="feed-description" value="Articles related to " />

        <div class="clearfix">
            <button class="buttonSubmit" type="submit">Submit</button>
            <img src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/i/loading.gif"  width="16" height="16"  class="loading" alt="One moment..." />
        </div>

    </form>
</div>

<div id="Thanks" class="lightbox">
    <h1 id="thanks-message" style="color:#cc0000"></h1>
</div>


    <div id="FacebookEdition" class="lightbox facebookEdition">

            <h1><i>TheJournal.ie</i> Facebook Edition</h1>

            <div class="form-element message" style="font-size:12px; line-height:15px">

            <ul style="font-size:14px; line-height:15px">
                <li>Share stories with your friends and family easily</li>
                <li>Comment without having to login</li>
                <li>More features coming soon...</li>
            </ul>
            <br /><br />

            <p style="text-align:center; margin-top:10px"><a href="#" class="sfc_login_button"><img src="" width="277" height="38"></a></p>
            </div>
    </div>

</div>
        <!-- /Lightboxes -->

        <script type="text/javascript">
            var _ac = 'thejournal.ie';
            var _sid = '234604';
            var _un = 'thejournal.ie';
            var _pa = '76af0b4d8a69839c0d361c0862fd0ed8';
        </script>

                <script type="text/javascript">
            var _gaq = _gaq || [];
            _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-17456403-1']);
            _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'thejournal.ie']);
            _gaq.push(['_setAllowLinker', true]);
            _gaq.push(['_setSiteSpeedSampleRate', 10]);

            
            _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar',
               2,
               'Social Session:',
               'None',
                2
            ]);


            function local_storage_support(){
                try{
                    return 'localStorage' in window && window['localStorage'] !== null;
                }catch(e){
                    return false;
                }
            }
            storage_support = 'No';
            if(local_storage_support())
            {
                storage_support = 'Yes';
            }
            _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar',
                       1,
                       'Local Storage Support:',
                       storage_support,
                       1
                   ]);


           _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']
               , ['b._setAccount', 'UA-28511705-2']
               , ['b._trackPageview']
           );

            (function() {
            var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
            ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
            var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
            })();
        </script>

        
            <script type="text/javascript">
            window._taboola = window._taboola || [];
            window._taboola.push({"article": "auto"});
            </script>
            <script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.taboolasyndication.com/libtrc/distilledmedia-thejournal/loader.js"></script>

        <img src='/i.php?i=3598546&r=15188441103637&type=article&key=article_3598546&interaction=view' /><script type="text/javascript" src="//b0.thejournal.ie/desktop/js/ping.1.js?adType=sale"></script>
        <script type="text/javascript">
            jQuery(document).ready(function($){
                if(window.fkjerbgknfbe == undefined)
                {
                    $.get('/internal.php', {
                        'publication' : 'thejournal',
                        'state' : true
                    });
                }
                else
                {
                    $.get('/internal.php', {
                        'publication' : 'thejournal'
                    });
                }
            });
                        if('sessionStorage' in window && window['sessionStorage'] !== null)
            {
                var _ga_login_status = sessionStorage.getItem("_ga_login_status");

                if(_ga_login_status == null)
                {
                    _ga_login_status = {"facebook":null, "google":null, "googlePlus":null, "twitter":null};
                    var _ga_login_support = [];
                    var _ga_login_called = [];

                    function ga__log_login_status(n, b)
                    {
                        _ga_login_status[n] = b;
                        if(b === true) {
                            _ga_login_support.push(n);
                        }
                        _ga_login_called.push(n);
                        if(_ga_login_called.length == 4)
                        {
                            _ga_login_support.sort();
                            _gaq.push(['_setCustomVar',
                                       3,
                                       'Social Session Support:',
                                       _ga_login_support.join('; '),
                                       2
                                   ]);
                            _gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'socialSession', 'Detection Complete']); // this is needed to push the custom var to GA
                            sessionStorage.setItem("_ga_login_status", _ga_login_status);
                        }
                    }

                    var _ga_fb_login_status = null;
                    function ga__check_fb()
                    {
                        // this response will be cached if already called
                        if(typeof FB != 'undefined'
                            && _ga_fb_login_status == null)
                        {
                            FB.getLoginStatus(function(response) {
                                _ga_fb_login_status = response.status;
                                if(response.status == 'unknown') {
                                    ga__log_login_status("facebook", false);
                                }
                                else {
                                    ga__log_login_status("facebook", true);
                                }
                            });
                        }
                        else
                        {
                            setTimeout(ga__check_fb, 250);
                        }
                    }

                    ga__check_fb();

                                    }
            }
        </script>
    </body>
</html>
