At least 430 people attended a protest in Ballaghaderreen this evening after a teenage boy was seriously assaulted in the town earlier this week.
They gathered at the car park in St Nathy's Cathedral at 5pm before making their way down to the garda station at the other end of town, carrying lighted candles.
Many people spoke about the sense of fear in the town and called for more garda resources, including 24/7 garda presence in the town and for street patrols.
They spoke about their concern regarding an increase in antisocial behaviour of late.
There was a heated exchange between local Independent councillor Micheál Frain and citizen journalist Philip Dwyer.
The protest was organised by a group called Ballaghaderreen Concerned Citizens, and its chairperson, Sharon Byrne Murphy, spoke to our reporter Eoghan Murphy at the protest:
This woman spoke about why she attended:
This lady also called for action.
Local Independent councillor Micheál Frain also spoke to Eoghan about his concerns:
Local Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane says she was also concerned about garda resources, as she told Eoghan:
Gardai are carrying out an investigation into the serious assault of a teenage boy at 12.10 on Friday morning in Main Street.
There was also an incident in the town last night, when up to 40 people, in balaclavas, gathered in the town at around 9pm.
Two properties were damaged and garda inquiries are ongoing.
Here is a selection of videos from tonight's protest:
