Fur is flying after a cat allegedly attacked a woman at McSorley’s Old Ale House in New York at one of America’s most famous Irish bars.

However owner. Irish native  Mattie Maher, doesn’t believe a word of it.

Cheryl Sible, 53. of New Jersey says the cat viciously attacked her when she was visiting McSorleys Old Ale House in October 2009 and she has filed suit as a result.

However, Kilkenny native Mattie Maher says he is shocked by the  allegations about the cat named  Minnie the Second.

"I have no recollection of any attack," he told The New York Post.. "If I would have known, I would have been the first to call her and say 'Are you OK? Can I do anything for you?' "

Maher says Minnie is not allowed roam the pub during opening hours and simply could not have bitten the woman.

"[Sibley] must have been here after hours," he told the newspaper.

Siblley claims the "live animal" attack forced her to have treatment for "serious injuries" that required medical care, the court papers state.

McSorley’s in New York’s East Village has been around since 1854 making it the oldest Irish pub in America but it has never seen this kind of allegation.

Harry Houdini drank there as did Woody Guthrie , Babe Ruth and several presidents. According to legend when a cat is asleep in the window it means Houdini’s spirit is present.

However,live animals in the bar have resulted in fines for McSorleys.  Minnie the first died in the summer fo 2009 to be replaced by Minnie the second, the alleged attacker.

Mattie Maher is not sure when Minnie the second took over  bu the is standing behind her 100 per cent.

"There have always been cats at McSorley's, and there always will," Maher told The New York Post.