Digger used to rob cash machine in County Monaghan

Image caption, The main road in Ballybay was closed as garda铆 carried out a forensic examination

A digger has been used in the robbery of a cash machine from a bank in County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland.

It was used to smash a hole into the wall of the Bank of Ireland branch in Ballybay to remove the ATM at about 03:00 local time on Sunday.

Garda铆 (Irish police) believe that three masked men were involved in the robbery.

Image caption, The robbery happened in the early hours of Sunday morning

The town's main street was sealed off as garda铆 carried out an investigation.

Irish national broadcaster RT脡 reported that the digger was towed to the scene by a tractor.

After the robbery, a large 4x4 reported to possibly be a Toyoto Land Cruiser, was used with the trailer to carry the cash machine away in the direction of Cootehill or Carrickmacross.

Image caption, The digger had been hauled into the town by a tractor

Garda铆 have said that the tractor was burned at the scene.

Bank of Ireland staff are trying to establish how much money was in the ATM, which can hold more than 鈧100,000 (拢89,700).

Garda铆 are appealing for anyone with information about the robbery to contact them.