An area in Clones has been sealed off this morning following an unsuccessful attempt to steal the ATM in the town.

A number of Gardai are currently at the scene, as a forensic investigation has got underway.

It’s understood the incident close to the Diamond occurred just before 3am.

Local councillor Pat Treanor has described the incident as a disgrace.

“I think it’s a disgrace now that the ATM has been attacked on the diamond here for a second time in recent years. The community here don’t have a banking system apart from the credit union and it’s the only other ATM, public ATM, in the town. So I condemn those who are at it and ask them to leave our community alone. You know, there are a number of ATMs in businesses and various shops in the town, but really this ATM on the diamond is used a lot by traffic that’s passing through the town because it’s handy on the N54 there.”

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