Three men have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in County Meath.

Just before 5 o'clock this evening two men entered a shop in Bracetown in Clonee.  They threatened staff and a sum of cash was stolen.

One shot was fired during the raid but no one was injured.

The men escaped the scene in a stolen car which was found abandoned a short distance from the scene. The firearm was also recovered from the vehicle.

During follow-up searches in Finglas in north Dublin by members of the Garda Organised Crime Unit three men were arrested.

The men, who are all in their twenties - are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State at Finglas Garda Station.