Gardai are searching for a gang who tried to rob an ATM machine in Dunleer, Co Louth.
Armed officers happened to come on the scene and disturbed the raiders at around half four this morning.
The raiders were attempting to rob the ATM at the Bank of Ireland on Main Street in the town when Gardai from the Armed Response Unit happened to drive by on patrol.
The raiders then drove at gardai and at least one garda had to jump out of the way.
The gang made off in the direction of the M1 and across the border.
The ATM wasn't stolen during the raid but a significant amount of damage has been done to the building.
A hunt's now underway for the raiders involving the gardai and the PSNI.
A digger remains at the scene which has been sealed off
