A FEMALE STAFF member at a Lidl supermarket in Mitchelstown was tied up and threatened with a knife by two armed raiders over the weekend.

The woman was opening up the store at 6am on Saturday when she was approached by two burglars dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas who ordered her to let them inside.

Gardaí say that at least one of the raiders was male and was carrying a knife that he used to threaten the woman.

When inside, they used cable ties to tie her up but were unable to access the store’s safe because it was on a time lock.

They did, however, manage to take a few hundred euro from a store float before making their getaway.

The woman was not seriously injured in the incident but was treated at a local hospital.

Gardaí say they have carried out an examination of the scene and CCTV footage has also been retrieved in an attempt to identify the armed robbers.

Gardaí are also appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at the time to come forward and contact them.

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