Gardai from the Cavan Monaghan division have people in stitches after they took a pony into custody for "playing havoc with traffic".
Officers in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, took a hilarious approach as they made appeals to the public to try reunite the rogue pony with its owner.
Taking to their Facebook page, gardai posted a video of the pony being led through the garda station as he was supposedly 'arrested'.
They said: "The Gardai in Carrickmacross have a pony in custody this morning. This chap was playing havoc with traffic on the Main Street.
"Thankfully he came quietly. if you own him please contact the station."
The video gathered over 1,000 likes and almost 400 comments as people couldn't help but laugh at the witty plea for help.
In an update, gardai said the 'prisoner' had to stay the night at the station after they "tried to release him on bale…but he just ate it."
They said: "The early unit in Carrickmacross had to check on last nights prisoner.
"If you know where his usual home is please let us know.
"We tried to release him on bale....but he just ate it. If it's your pony, please call to the station and we'll hand him over, NEIGH problem!
"Oh and one more thing....bring a shovel!"
Thankfully, the owner was found and reunited with the station's new tenant early on Tuesday morning.
Gardai siad: "The Gardaí at Carrickmacross were delighted to reunite this wee fella with his owner.
"We would like to thank all the members of the public who shared the posts and especially those who offered to bring food in and even transport and provide temporary more suitable accommodation to our visitor."
After hearing the pony had found his way home, people were delighted and couldn't help but make a few jokes of their own.
One person said: "Hope he was released without charge good news story".
While another said: "Should get him a cough bottle he might be a little hoarse."
