Army Sniper on Stand-by as Wildcat Spotted Close to a Housing Estate.

Army Sniper on Stand-by as Wildcat Spotted Close to a Housing Estate. Back to Irish News

Army Sniper on Stand-by as Wildcat Spotted Close to a Housing Estate.
By Kathy Donaghy and Pat Tierney
The Garda helicopter was dispatched yesterday to search an area of Monaghan for a puma-like big cat with an army sniper on stand-by to shoot the animal if spotted.
The presence of the jet-black cat, which was reported to have been seen in the Tully area on the outskirts of Monaghan yesterday, is being treated seriously as it was near to a housing estate.
In one of its most unusual missions to date, the Garda Сeye in the skyТ conducted an aerial sweep of the are around Tully, where the animal was spotted by a local man and his wife on Sunday night and again yesterday ЕЕЕЕЕЕ. ( text missing) may be required to dispose of the animal
An army spokesman confirmed that one sniper was on stand-by last night.
He said the sniper would have a choice of weapons at his disposal - a Stery standard issue rifle with an integrated sighting mechanism with a 1.5 times magnification with a range of 300 meters or an Accuracy International 7562 which has a range of 600 meters and high image magnification.
Local businessman and farmer Charlie McGuinness claimed he saw the animal lurking near his land and captured the cat on video on Sunday night then again on yesterday morning. He claims he has seen it four times in the last six weeks.
Last week the puma was Е.( text missing) responsible for mauling a calf in the Newbliss area.
ФSome observers are saying that there could be more than one cat in the area. УWe have been in touch with the Gardai and they have seen the video evidence, У Mr McGuinness said.
Peader Morgan, a retired conservation ranger from Clontibret in CO Monaghan said he has heard reports of sightings all along the Monaghan / Tyrone border.
He feared there could be more than one cat at large given the reported sightings.
Mr Morgan said he was of the opinion that someone had the animals and they either escaped or were set free by people who couldnТt handle them.
Garda are warning people not to attempt to capture the cat without expert assistance. ParentsЕ..Е.( text missing)
The Irish Independent: 29th June 2004

Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could give us.