Gardaí are to conduct an air search of part of Co Monaghan for a large black cat. A reconnaissance aircraft from Baldonnel is due to take part in the search once weather conditions improve.
A number of army marksmen are also on standby.
A garda spokesman in Monaghan said they were treating today's sightings of a puma-like large cat as extremely serious, especially as they were so close to a large housing estate on the edge of Monaghan town.
