Three arrested in Dublin after armed robbery

Three men in their 20s have been arrested following an armed robbery in west Dublin this morning.

The men took a small amount of cash from a shop in Blanchardstown, injuring two staff members in the process.

The three men, one of whom was apparently armed with a handgun, entered the Mace shop on Main Street Blanchardstown at around 9.30am.

They threatened staff, and hit one employee on the back of the head; two staff members suffered minor injuries and were taken to Connolly Hospital.

The culprits left the shop with a small amount of cash and made their getaway in a Nissan Micra, but were later arrested by gardaí.

The car was found burned out in the nearby Waterville Estate, and an imitation firearm was recovered.

The three men are being questioned at Blanchardstown garda station, and can be held for up to three days.