Two foxes were spotted prowling around the car park of the Four Courts in Dublin on Friday.
The rare sighting was snapped by stunned onlookers going about their business.
Wildlife experts have said that the creatures' population has rocketed in recent years and they are becoming more brave.
It is estimated that before breeding season there are between 150,000 and 200,000 foxes annually in the country.
Foxes gradually moved into cities and towns because of the availability of a variety of food sources.
And experts say they are becoming more familiar with humans.
Urban foxes generally eat discarded takeaway meals, food left out for pets and surprisingly there are some people who feed them directly every night.
When once urban foxes would scurry away if you made a sound, now they simply stand and stare.
The red fox mating season is now in full swing here and it lasts from January to the middle of March.
During this period, the mammals become louder and more vocal, with courtship displays ranging from rowdy fights with other males to scent spraying.
