Three men were arrested outside a school in Co Kildare this morning on suspicion of planning to rob a cash-in-transit van.
The men, one in his 20s and two in their 30s, were in a stolen van across the road from St Patrick's National School in Johnstownbridge when they were arrested at about 9.00am.
The planned operation was carried out but members of the Garda's Organised Crime Unit, supported by the emergency response unit.
A cash-in-transit van had just arrived in the area. A second stolen car was also recovered nearby. No weapons were recovered.
A witness reported seeing men forced down onto their knees by armed gardaí next to a white van outside the school. No children were around during the incident.
Two men were being questioned at Naas Garda station. The other is being held in Leixlip. They can be held for up to 24 hours under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, praised the work of the units involved in this morning's operation.
"Information is vital to An Garda Síochána in mounting intelligence-led operations such as this. I renew my appeal to the community to pass information to us no matter how insignificant it might seem to them," he said. "My members, both in uniform and in specialist units, are working day in, day out to confront criminal activity. The safety of the community and their own safety is paramount as they carry out this work."