Three men have been arrested by gardai in connection with an early-morning armed robbery in Co Offaly.
The incident happened at around 6.40am on Monday morning at a store in Ferbane.
Three men entered a convenience store in the town armed with a number of weapons.
They then forced two female staff members to hand over cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
The men left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle.
Both staff members did not require medical treatment following the terrifying ordeal.
Gardai carried out follow up searches later on Monday which resulted in three arrests being made in Galway.
The men, aged 19, 20 and 26, are all currently detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act, 2007 in garda stations across the midlands.
Gardai say their investigations into the incident are ongoing.
A spokesperson said: "Gardaí have arrested three men following an armed robbery in Ferbane, Co. Offaly this morning Monday, 15th November, 2021.
"At approximately 6.40a.m. this morning three men entered a convenience store in Ferbane armed with a number of weapons and forced the two female staff members to hand over a quantity of cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
"The men left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle. Both staff members did not require medical attention after the incident.
"In follow up searches today, all three men (19, 20 and 26 years) were arrested in Galway and are all currently detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act, 2007 in Garda stations across the midlands of the country.
"The investigations are ongoing."
