Three men handcuffed a cleaner and took about £30,000 from Duleek Credit Union, Co Meath, yesterday morning.
The men were waiting for the woman when she arrived for work at a 8.45 p.m. When she entered the building and turned off the alarm system, the men entered through the back door. Two were carrying screwdrivers and one threatened the woman and demanded the keys to the safe.
After taking the contents of the safe, which consisted of cash, cheques and foreign currencies, the gang handcuffed the woman to a table and left by the back door.
Gardai yesterday appealed for anyone who may have seen three men running from the area, particularly near the old graveyard, to contact them.
The cleaner was unharmed but badly shaken and the credit union was closed yesterday.