A local former Muintir na Tire officer is urging communities to come together to set up an alert scheme before the winter comes in.
The message comes following an aggravated burglary at a shop attached to a home in Ballintubber in Roscommon in the early hours of Monday morning.
Bernie Kearney says while older people shouldn't be fearful of incidents like this he believes rural communities must unite to protect the vulnerable.
Speaking on Let's Talk the Roscommon native urged the public to set up alert groups which would link in with the Gardai.
''I would encourage all community groups across the country in early September to get their groups together again and see what can be done in areas because I think that's very important, the hands on contact and it gives people you know, it gives encouragement to people if there's something out there.''
