Thieves used a forklift to steal GBP600,000 (USD1,041,359) from a security van at a Dublin shopping centre on Tuesday.

The Irish Times reported the raid took place at 1.30pm at the rear of Donaghmede shopping centre as three men were unloading money from a security van to two ATM machines.

One thief rammed a forklift into the front of the van, causing its bullet-proof windscreen to collapse. Two other gang members joined the forklift driver and all three, armed with machine guns, climbed into the van.

After grabbing bags of cash from the van, the trio escaped by car.

Irish national police believe the forklift was stolen from a building site in Balbriggan, northern Dublin.