A man and woman accused of trying to rob a petrol station in Dublin last night have been refused bail. The pair were arrested shortly after two people wearing balaclavas threatened staff with knives.

Just before 9pm last night, two masked raiders armed with knives burst into the shop attached to the 'Esso' filling station on Usher Quay. They demanded money but left empty handed shortly afterwards.

By pure coincidence, officers from a special garda task force spotted a man and woman acting suspiciously at nearby Thomas Street.

Garda Mark Bennett and Garda Brendan Kerins claimed they were on a routine patrol when they spotted the pair allegedly throwing away balaclavas.

Garda Kerins claimed the male suspect was out of breath when they approached them, and they seized some balaclavas and knives.

Today, father of three John Paul Lennon of St. Patrick's Park in Rialto and Danielle Kane, a mother of five from Mount Brown, Inchicore appeared in court charged with attempted robbery and possession of a knife.

The pair, who are both aged in their 30s, were refused bail following an objection by gardai and they are both due back in court next week.