
A man was arrested quickly afterwards.
Gardaí are investigating an attempted robbery in Laois this morning.
A man - who gardaí believe may have been armed - entered a filling station on the Tullamore Road in Mountmellick at about 6 o'clock.
He was arrested quickly afterwards and is being detained at Portlaoise Garda Station.
No injuries were reported.
Anyone in the Townspark area between 5.50 and 7 o'clock this morning is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100.