A PLUCKY pensioner has been hailed a hero after he helped fight off armed raiders at the Bar One Racing bookies in Glanmire.

Tim Murphy of Bar One Racing says he is hugely grateful to the elderly customer who helped him during an attempted robbery of the bookmakers on Saturday.

Three masked men burst into the shop at 6.30pm but were thwarted, thanks to the bravery of Mr Murphy and his customer.

Other customers in the shop appeared too shocked to react but footage of the attempt posted online shows the elderly man coming to Mr Murphy’s assistance and helping him fend off his attackers, who were armed with hammers and what appeared to be a shotgun.

Two attackers ran behind the counter but were soon followed by the brave OAP.

The customer, who is in his early 80s and lives locally, said he initially thought it was a prank.

The three men were clearly unprepared for any type of resistance. They ran from the shop empty-handed and left the scene in a black car.

Gardaí and detectives in the Mayfield district are now investigating the incident and are seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down the raiders. They are specifically looking for information or witness sightings of the three male suspects in the Riverstown, Glanmire area between 6pm and 7pm on Saturday.

They are also seeking any mobile phone or dashcam footage and any witness sightings of suspicious activity by a black saloon vehicle (Audi A4 or VW Passat) in the area at that time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station at 021-4558510 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.

Mr Murphy, who has been with the betting company for just over a year, was back in work yesterday.