Two men have been arrested following robberies at bookmakers in Athlone and Mayo.
In the first incident yesterday afternoon, gardaí said a man armed with a knife threatened staff at a shop in the Westmeath town.
No customers or staff members were injured in the incident, which happened just before 4pm.
The raider fled the scene in a car that was found recovered a short time later.
Money believed to have taken from the shop was also found, and a 38-year-old male suspect was detained.
In the second incident, just after 9pm last night, another man threatened staff at a bookmakers shop in Castle Street in Castlebar.
He left the scene on foot with a sum of cash.
A 28-year-old man was arrested nearby, and money was recovered. No one was injured.
Both men are being held in garda stations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.