Gardaí have made a fresh appeal for witnesses following a robbery and false imprisonment in County Kildare last week.

The incident occurred at approximately 9pm last Friday the 14th of April at a service station on the Kilkenny Road in Athy.

Staff were closing up the shop when they were approached by men wearing balaclavas and brandishing knives.

Gardaí said the men threatened the staff, forced them into a back room and demanded money.

When they were unsuccessful in gaining access to the safe, they forced one of the staff members into a car and left the scene.

A second staff member was told to take cash from the safe and meet the raiders a short distance away.

A meeting point was agreed on the Kilkenny Road between the Top Garage and Loughman’s Garage and - after the contents of the safe were handed over - the first staff member was released unharmed.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses who may have seen:

• Seen a car acting suspiciously around the Service station on the evening of the 14th April around 9pm.
• Seen suspicious activity on the Kilkenny Road Athy between the Top Garage and Loughman’s Garage around 9pm on the 14th April.

Gardaí believe the suspects were driving a Mazda 323F.

Anyone with any information that may assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Gardaí in Athy on 059 8634210, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any other Garda station.