A JCB digger was used by a gang to break into a McDonald's fast food outlet in Limerick, in the same month that a Lidl was destroyed with a similar piece of machinery in Dublin.

Gardaí are investigating a break-in to the McDonald's in Castleroy Shopping Centre in Limerick.

The break-in happened at approximately 2.50am at the location on the Dublin Road.

It is believed those responsible were searching for the safe, but failed to gain access to it before the gardaí were alerted causing the raiders to flee the scene. 

The digger was abandoned, still partly wedged into the front door of the restaurant causing substantial damage. 

An investigation has been launched by police after a digger was used to try and break into a McDonald’s in Limerick.https://t.co/VfmGVXKN1A

— Twitter Moments UK & Ireland (@UKMoments) March 20, 2018

A Garda spokesman from Henry Street station told The Sun that officers from  are investigating the incident but that no arrests have yet been made.

In a bizarre turn of events, the marketing team behind the chain of Lidl supermarkets in Ireland took to Twitter to express their sympathy to McDonald's.

A Lidl outpost in Tallaght, Dublin, was attacked with a similar JCB digger earlier this month by a gang of youths looking for the safe.

@McDonalds Hope you're okay hun x

— Lidl Ireland (@lidl_ireland) March 20, 2018

Read More: Shocking scenes from Dublin as gang wreck Lidl supermarket