A man in his 20s has been arrested in Co. Offaly over an aggravated burglary at the house of an elderly woman.

The woman was threatened after a man forced his way into her home at St. Bridgets Place, Tullamore at about 6pm yesterday evening.

The thief managed to take a sum of cash but fled the scene after being disturbed when the woman's daughter returned to the house.

Neither woman was injured in the incident.

The man was arrested in Tullamore.

He is being held at the local garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.