Two men are due in court this morning charged in connection with an attempted armed robbery in Dublin on Thursday evening.

The masked men entered the shop with what appeared to be a firearm, but were confronted by an off-duty garda.

After a struggle with the garda, the men fled towards Mount Pleasant Square. While escaping on foot, the firearm was thrown into nearby bushes, and later removed for technical examination. 

One man was arrested at the scene, while another - a juvenile - was apprehended during a follow-up operation later that night.

The garda was taken to St James' Hospital where he received treatment for hand injuries.