Significant damage has been caused to a bank in Co Louth following an attempted ATM robbery overnight.
Around 4:30 am this morning, a gang was attempting to rob the ATM - believed to be located at the Bank of Ireland branch on Main Street in Dunleer.
Members of the Garda Armed Support Unit happened to be doing a patrol at the time and came across the scene.
They went to investigate, and it's understood the gang then drove at them.
At least one Garda had to jump out of the way of a vehicle.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
The suspects then left the scene in the direction of the M1 and across the border into Northern Ireland.
A search is now underway for the suspects, with the PSNI assisting in the search.
The ATM was not taken in the incident, although significant damage was caused to the building.
Traffic Alert - Main street Dunleer Co Louth is currently closed to traffic following an attempted ATM theft which was intercepted by a Garda ASU patrol. Traffic diversions are in place. Investigations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/okMnK0fkE4
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 15, 2020
A digger remains at the scene and the area is sealed off this morning, with local road closures in place.
The same ATM had previously targeted in November, with raiders also making off empty-handed during that incident.
