Health Minister Leo Varadkar arrived at the scene of a robbery in Dublin while out canvassing last night.

The armed robbery at Mr Varadkar's local Spar shop in Carpenterstown in Castleknock had just finished, and the thieves were fleeing the scene when the Minister arrived.

He saw one of the thieves fleeing the scene, running right past the Minister.

Speaking to Morning Ireland this morning, Mr Varadkar said he was due to make a statement to gardaí later today.

He said he had spoken to the shop owner and was glad no one was hurt.

FF's Jack Chambers and Roderick O'Gorman of the Green Party also happened upon the scene.

Cllr O'Gorman told Today FM's Anton Savage that one of the men was armed with a machete.

"It all happened very fast," he said. "The lads had obviously scoped the place out - there's a little gap in the fence between the car park and the next estate so they slipped through that very quickly and disappeared at that stage."

The raiders were armed with a gun and sword or machete. They had threatened staff and were escaping on foot with a sum of cash.

No one was injured in the robbery.

Gardaí have asked anyone who witnessed the robbery, or who has information to contact them at Blanchardstown garda station on 01 666 7000.