Shop worker attacked by thief in Celbridge

A shop worker was brutally attacked by a thief during robber in the early hours of this morning in Co Kildare.

Gardai have launched an investigation and they are on the hunt for the thief after he stormed into a shop on the Clane Road in Celbridge just after midnight.

The store was closed during the robbery, but the worker lived abover the premise and he was punched in the face during the robbery.

The thief then allegedly threatened to stab the worker after he refused to open the till.

The thief then ran off with a large number of cigarettes.

A spokesperson for the Gardai confirmed that they are investigating the robbery.

The spoke with Dublin Live and said: "Gardai are investigating a break–in at a shop on Clane Road, Celbridge at 12.30am.

"The shop was closed at the time. An employee who lives above the shop received minor injuries when he was assaulted by the alleged offender.

"Suspect fled on foot not known if anything stolen."