Debunked: There have been no reports to Gardaí of an escaped lion in Meath

A video supposedly shows the creature walking through woodland in Kells

CLAIMS THAT AN escaped lion had been reported to the Gardaí spread widely on social media and chat apps this week, along with a video showing an indistinct beast roaming through the woods.

Gardaí have confirmed to The Journal that they have received no reports of an escaped lion.

A screenshot of what appears to be a police report and videos of a teh supposed lion were shared widely yesterday, including on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The supposed report, seen in a photograph of a screen showing what looks like a database, such as Pulse, details an incident listed as “Priority” under the category “Animals – offences against animals”.

The report says that a truck driver for a wood haulage company spotted “what he believes to be a lion” and was en route to Kells Garda station in Co Meath to make a report.

The short video circulating along with the claims shows a creature plodding through a damp forest. However, the creature cannot be seen clearly and could conceivably be a Shetland pony, a large dog, or one of many other four-legged creatures other than a lion.

Lion on the lose in Meath???? What's going on 😂 #Ireland #Lion #wildlife #ESCAPE pic.twitter.com/fxuCi2aj3L
— just_another_drunk_ape (@bibi_bobby_b) October 30, 2025

“From our enquires with local Gardaí, there are no incidents recorded on our system matching this description in the Meath area” the Garda press office told The Journal.

There are no zoos in the area of Kells. Emerald Park, an amusement park in Co Meath that does feature exotic animals, including leopards and tigers, is farther than 30 kilometres away.

However, the prospect of a lion on the loose in Ireland isn’t implausible — it has happened before.

In 1951, an escaped lion mauled a teenager in Dublin before its owner, a breeder who had been known for taking his lions out for walks in Fairview Park, attacked it, scaring it off.

During the ensuing chase, the owner also was injured by the lion before the animal was shot several times, killing it.

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