Two hospitalised following Athlone robbery

Two people were taken to hospital today after being attacked with incapacitant spray during a robbery at a jewellery shop.

Investigating gardaí said two men held up the premises in Athlone at around 1.30pm.

Two women, an employee and a customer, who were in the shop on Mardyke Street at the time were sprayed by the raiders, who made off with an undisclosed quantity of jewellery.

The women were later taken by ambulance to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses.

One of the attackers was described as around 6ft, in his late twenties or early thirties and was wearing a black jacket, trousers and a dark baseball cap at the time.

His accomplice was of a similar age, around 5ft 8in, with blond hair and was also wearing dark-coloured clothing.