Two plainclothes gardaí foil attempted armed robbery at store in Dublin

The incident happened at a retail premises on Military Road in Dublin 8 on Wednesday evening

The man, who is aged in his 40s, was then taken to a Garda Station in Dublin where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. File Picture: Colin Keegn/ Collins Dublin

An armed robber was disarmed and restrained after he attempted to rob a Dublin retail premises where two plainclothes gardaí were present.

The incident happened after a masked man armed with a firearm entered a retail premises on Military Road in Dublin 8 at approximately 6.55pm on Wednesday and demanded money from staff. 

At the time, two plainclothes members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) were present in the store.

After being made aware of the attempted robbery, the male Detective Garda identified himself and challenged the man with the firearm.

A physical struggle ensued during which the detective was assisted by his female colleague and a member of the public.

The masked robber was subsequently disarmed and restrained. 

A short time late, gardaí from the Divisional Detective Unit from Kilmainham Garda Station arrived at the scene and formally arrested the culprit. 

The man, who is aged in his 40s, was then taken to a Garda Station in Dublin where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The firearm he brandished in the store is believed to be a replica. A garda spokesperson said that it has been seized and "a ballistic examination will be conducted to determine its status under Irish legislation".

The spokesperson said that investigations are ongoing and that both GNBCI members are being provided with" all necessary welfare supports by their local management".