Gardaí are searching for three men who raided a shop and post office in the village of Ballinlough, Co Roscommon, this morning.
Three men wearing balaclavas forced their way into the post office before it opened at about 8.30am and tied up the owner of the premises.
One of the men was armed with a sawn off shotgun, another was armed with a knife and the third was armed with a hatchet.
The owner was discovered by another member of staff who arrived half an hour later. He had not been injured.
Gardai describe the amount taken in the raid as a substantial amout of money.
Gardaí are appealing for information about the robbery.
