Co Meath gardaí are investigating a robbery at an Athboy petrol station early this morning.
The raid took place at 6.15 a.m. when three men wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars and hammers attacked the owner of the premises on the Trim Road.
He suffered injuries to his face and hand and was taken by ambulance to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.
The raiders took cash and cigarettes worth about €20,000 before fleeing in a VW Passat that had its registration plates removed.