An investigation has been launched into the armed hijacking of a woman's car in Co. Laois last night.

The woman (31) was sitting in her Toyota Corolla outside a shop in Ballylinan at about 9:10pm when the incident happened.

A masked gunman threatened the woman with a shotgun before stealing the car and making off with it.

The car was later found on fire in Kildangan.

The woman was uninjured but shaken by the incident. Gardai are appealing for information.