GARDAI in Cork city are probably used to ushering people home, particularly with lockdown restrictions still in place, but over the weekend it wasn't local residents, but rather ducklings, who needed a little prod in the right direction.
Officers were forced into something of a welcome chase on MacCurtain Street as they tried their best to send a family of ducklings on the right track back towards the River Lee.
They found the birds waddling the empty streets, after staff at the Metropole Hotel reported sightings.
But the ducks were naturally quite evasive, hiding under cars to escape the clutches of their would-be helpers.
Eventually though, they were encouraged back to the river, and hopefully back home.
The Metropole Hotel wrote in a Facebook post: "This grand lady and her babies arrived back on MacCurtain Street today and not her first visit to around the Metropole Cork.
"Duty Manager John Crean was on hand to capture and help her on her merry way along with some very kind others."
An Garda Siochana later tweeted a photo of the incident.
"This lot tried ducking and diving by hiding under a car. Probationer Garda Cathal Power encouraged them back towards the river and they all swam away. Happy days!"
Despite the ducks' obvious lack of care for social distancing measures, we're pleased there was a happy ending.
To watch the video posted by the Metropole Hotel, click here.
This lot tried ducking and diving by hiding under a car on McCurtain Street in Cork. Probationer Garda Cathal Power encouraged them back towards the river and they all swam away. Happy days! đŽââď¸đŽââď¸đŚ pic.twitter.com/mX50PqHEao
â Garda Info (@gardainfo) April 19, 2020
