Gardaí are today investigating a robbery in which a mechanical digger was used to remove a cash machine from a bank in Co Kilkenny.
The incident took place at about 5.30am at a branch of Bank of Ireland in Graiguenamanagh.
Raiders used a JCB to drive into the bank in order to dislodge the ATM. A large section of the front of the bank was damaged during the incident.
The branch is directly opposite a Garda station but it was unmanned at the time of the raid.
A number of garda units from New Ross, Thomastown and Kilkenny city arrived shortly after the incident had taken place but the raiders had already made their getaway.
The area remains cordoned off at present while a detailed search takes place.
Gardaí have not said how much money was taken during the raid.
A similar robbery took place at Mother Hubbard's restaurant in Moyvalley, Co Kildare at about 2am last Sunday.
During the incident a significant amount of damage was caused when thieves removed a cash machine from the popular truck stop, using a digger that was located at the back of the restaurant.
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