The businessman at the centre of yesterday's terrifying raid on a children's play centre in Dublin has spoken out about the ordeal.

Councillor Dermot Richardson, who owns Tallaght Adventure World, revealed there were 12 children on the premises when armed thugs stormed the building and STABBED a staff member.

The Independent revealed how he desperately threw teacups at the crazed raider as he lunged at the manager - his nephew Robbie - with a MACHETE.

The young man is currently in St James's hospital having surgery on the stab wound.

Speaking to 98FM’s Dublin Talks with Adrian Kennedy, Dermot described how his own son - who also works in the centre - was standing at reception when the raiders burst in.

He recalled: "I was sitting having a coffee with one of the parents when I heard a commotion and my son shouting, 'Dad, Dad, quick!'

"I turned around and saw two raiders coming in.

"I knew they were raiders because one of them had a pole and they were all wearing dark clothing.

"I turned around and ran into the kitchen and pressed the panic button for the guards to come.

"As I pressed the button, I saw the man sort of hopping over the counter and going into the office.

Tallaght Adventure World

"My manager, who is also my nephew Robbie, was in there on his own."

Dermot described his panic as the masked raider swung at Robbie with what looked like a machete with "a large blade".

He said: "They went to stab him and he sort of moved and tried to grab the knife. The raider pulled the knife back and sliced his hand.

"I picked up the nearest thing to me - the cups that we use for teas and coffees - and I launched them over at him because the man was swinging the pole at people.

"Every cup in the whole play centre was thrown at the raiders to keep them at bay. It was the only thing we could do, and it worked."

Dermot said the incident was "a major trauma, not only to Robbie and his family but to all the staff and the people in the community".

He added: "I didn’t sleep last night worrying everybody."

The thieves fled the scene empty-handed in a blue Ford Fiesta driven by a third man.

It was later found burnt out in the Killinarden area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.