A court has heard how a gun was held to a customer's back during the robbery of a post office in Dundalk.

David Mantle from Beau Park Mews, Clongriffin in Dublin was arrested near the branch shortly after it was held up earlier this month.

At around 2:25pm on September 12th, a man armed with what looked like a handgun walked into a post office on Dublin Street.

He grabbed a customer (88) who was at the top of the queue and held a gun to his back, while he threatened staff and demanded cash.

The workers handed over €1,000 and he released his hostage and fled the scene. A member of the public gave chase and managed to restrain the suspected robber until gardaí arrived.

Mr Mantle was arrested a short time later.

He appeared in court today where gardaí objected to bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the strength of the evidence they have gathered.

The court heard there was some excellent CCTV footage of the robbery and that Mr Mantle was effectively caught red-handed.

But despite the objections, the judge decided to grant bail and he is due back in court next month.