Gardaí have carried out searches in Cork and Waterford as part of their investigation into an attempted robbery at a bookies which was thwarted by an 83-year-old customer.

The manager of a Cork bookmakers said he was “inspired” to tackle armed raiders when he saw his octogenarian customer leap to his aid.

A plucky pensioner has been hailed as a local hero after fighting off armed raiders who tried to rob his local bookies in Glanmire in Cork on Saturday.