It's emerged that a cat which was found dead in Clonmel earlier this week was NOT killed by a firework.

Gardaí have completed their investigation into what was initially believed to have been a barbaric attack on a family pet.

Distressing pictures emerged on social media on Halloween night of the cat lying in a pool of blood.

Reports suggested that a firework had been placed in the animal’s mouth and set alight in the Oakland Drive area of the Wilderness in Clonmel.

The owner of the cat only became aware of the horrific incident when she was alerted to the photo.

She and her children were left traumatised by the image.

There were also reports that a youth had tried to throw a dog onto a bonfire in the same area.

Clonmel Gardaí have examined CCTV footage from the location which show the cat was actually hit by a passing vehicle.

They have also interviewed the youth who was said to have threatened to throw a dog onto the bonfire – it's emerged the animal had been jumping up on the individual who jokingly told the dog to stop or he'd throw him on the bonfire.

Gardaí are happy that there was no criminal activity in either incident.