Gardaí have foiled what is believed to have been the attempted theft of an ATM from a bank branch in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.

The alarm was raised at the scene on the Dublin Road at about 3am.

Officers pursued two vehicles suspected of being involved - a grey Audi A6 and a white Transit van.

However, both managed to make their escape and are believed to have travelled in the direction of the border.

Nothing was stolen in the incident and gardaí say investigations are ongoing.