'We are recruiting but no cats need apply' - Gardaí tease idea of new Garda Cat Unit

Gardaí have teased the idea of forming a new Garda Cat Unit in a fun social media post. 

In the post, which was published on An Garda Síochána's Facebook and Instagram yesterday (Thursday January 25), a cat is seen in the driver's seat of a Garda vehicle at Aras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park. 

The caption reads: "We’ve long had a Garda Dog Unit and Garda Mounted Unit so it’s only fair that we appoint our first member of a Garda Cat Unit to help us try catch a few pesky rats. 

"Her first tour of duty at the Arás and she managed to be so discreet that Misneach didn’t spot her on his patch." 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by An Garda Síochána (@gardainsta)

Thousands of people expressed their approval in the comments, with one person commenting: "Brilliant, I have six cats [and] can rent them out if needed!" 

Another person commented, "Extremely good public relations" while another stated, "The long paw of claw enforcement." 

Gardaí clarified the post was all in good fun, stating: "We are recruiting at the moment but no cats need apply - we have no plans for a Garda Cat Unit in the future." 

However, one commenter thought it was genuinely a good idea and commented: "We need dog/animal units all over the country. Animal cruelty is out of control. Hundreds of dogs, cats & horses abandoned and starving in every town and village. Shame on our government for turning a blind eye."