Ireland's Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche was among several people taken hostage by armed robbers at a hotel near Dublin, but the incident ended with no injuries, police said.

Roche, a high-profile junior minister, was among staff and guests caught up in the robbery at Druids Glen Marriott Hotel, south of Dublin.

Three men wearing balaclavas and wielding a sawn-off shotgun took the hostages to the manager's office where they stole cash, then went to the strong room where they locked up their captives and stole more money before fleeing in a car, police said.

"There were no shots fired and nobody suffered any injuries," Superintendent Michael Lernihan told public broadcaster RTE.

The men stole about 20,000 euros ($26,930), RTE reported on its website. A police spokesman said he could not confirm the amount.

The incident started about 9.30 a.m. (0930 GMT) and was over by 9.50 a.m., Lernihan said.

Roche, a former environment minister, was a key campaigner in the government's unsuccessful push for a "Yes" vote in a referendum in June on the European Union reform treaty. Its rejection by Irish voters was a serious setback for plans to streamline the way the EU is run.