A video circulating online has sparked amusement and a touch of mystery, as it shows an animal that looks like a lion roaming around a woodland in Co. Clare.
Forest manager John O'Reilly from Co. Meath reported sightings of the animal to his local garda station in Kells after receiving the video from a contracted driver working with him in forestry over Mount Shannon in Co. Clare.
John explained that the driver spotted the animal in the early hours of yesterday morning, October 29.
While he does not know what type of animal was captured on camera, he said he is sure that the "video is real".
"The video originated through us but what type of animal it is remains a mystery. What we can be sure of is that some kind of animal crossed the road and went in to the woods. In my opinion it is a lion, but you never know.
"One of our truck drivers took the video, it was sent to the forester in charge, and he then sent it to me. And I felt that because we were aware of it that we would report it to the guards," John said.
Now that the video has circulated on social media, John said that other people who were cutting timber in that same woodland reported similar sightings.
"They thought they were losing their marbles, as would I," John said.
"Some people are saying it's a dog, but it's up to everyone to make their own judgement, I don't think anyone got too close," he added.