Gardaí probe armed robbery of TV chef's restaurant

Armed raiders held up staff in Dylan McGrath’s Rustic Stone restaurant before escaping with the weekend takings.

It is not believed the Michelin-starred celebrity chef was in his Dublin city premises when the robbery happened at about 11.30pm last night.

Eight members of staff were on duty in the restaurant in South George’s Street when two armed men wearing balaclavas burst in.

The raiders, brandishing a gun and a knife, threatened them and locked them in one room in the premises.

They took several mobile phones from the employees before fleeing with a substantial amount of cash, believed to be up to €10,000.

A Garda spokesman said no-one was injured during the ordeal.

Gardaí at Pearse Street have appealed for information.

McGrath, who presents Masterchef Ireland alongside restaurateur Nick Munier, opened Rustic Stone in August 2010.