It comes ahead of a crime protest in the west Roscommon town at 5 o'clock this evening, starting at St Nathy's Cathedral car park before making its way down to the garda station at the other end of town. 

The protest is being organised by a group called Ballaghaderreen Concerned Citizens.

Experts from the US and throughout Europe will take part in the event in Lough Key Forest Park next September.

Tom Cunningham was speaking at a public meeting about rural crime in his home parish of Glinsk last night.

The serving garda said garda numbers are even worse in Castlerea than in Tuam, which he serves.

Tom Cunningham was speaking at a public meeting about rural crime in his home parish of Glinsk last night.

A serving garda, speaking at the meeting, said he would agree with most of what has been said at tonight's meeting.