Gardai in Portlaoise are still questioning a 25 year old man in relation to an armed raid at Browne's jewellers on Main Street yesterday.
The raiders, one armed with a hammer and the other with an imitation handgun, hit the jewellery store about 10 o'clock yesterday morning.
However, the robbery was foiled when store owner Gerry Browne, with the help of two others captured one of the culprits and held him until gardai arrived.
Two female staff, one who is pregnant, were tied up during the incident. Gardai are still hunting for a second man.
The arrested man, a 25-year-old Polish national, was brought to Portlaoise garda station.
He's being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State act and can be detained for three days. No one was hurt in the robbery.
Gardai will now check cctv footage in a bid to identify the second raider, who is in his 20s.