'Puma' sighting sparks fears for children in Monaghan

Gardaí in Co Monaghan have advised parents not to allow small children outside without supervision due to sightings of a large cat in the area.

The most recent sighting of the animal was close to a housing estate on the outskirts of Monaghan town.

The cat, believed to be a puma, has already mauled a calf in the area and gardaí are concerned that it could also harm a child.

It is not known how the animal ended up in the wild.

A large search for the puma is underway and an army marksman was drafted in yesterday in the hope that he could kill the animal.