Fears elderly will become easy target

Some parts of Kerry will now be more than an hour away from their nearest 24-hour Garda station, following the closure of nine stations in the county, some of which had been there since the days of the Royal Irish Constabulary in the 19th century.

Communities have begun meetings with senior gardaí and politicians to discuss alternative policing services.

Concerns are also being raised about a possible increase in crime, amid claims that elderly people, especially, will now be easy targets in rural areas for highly mobile criminal gangs.