Tributes have been pouring in for a great-grandfather who helped foil an armed robbery at his favourite bookmakers shop in Ireland. 

Denis O'Connor, who turns 85 in November, was instrumental in helping foil an armed raid by three masked robbers, two armed with hammers and one armed with a suspected imitation shotgun, on the Bar One bookmakers branch in Glanmire, Co Cork.

Mr O'Connor reacted to being threatened by one of the raiders and his action in shoving the man triggered panic, which resulted in all three robbers fleeing the scene.

A key segment of the CCTV footage showed one of the raiders stumbling in panic as he fled - and Denis directing a firm kick at the departing robber's backside.

"I keep fit. I go to the gym and a do a bit of swimming. I suppose you could say I am fit," he said.