Victims of rural crime have told a public meeting in Tipperary that they feel like prisoners in their own homes.

Over 1,500 people attended a public meeting on the issue in Thurles last night.

They say the escalating numbers of break-ins and burglaries terrorizing the countryside will not be solved without greater garda resources.

Widow Mary Morrissey  was one of countless robbery victims who expressed fear that well-organised gangs are targeting isolated households.

She has slept with a shotgun beside her bed ever since she was robbed:

Despite increased security measures, theives are continuing to stealing diesel, expensive farm machinery and other equipment, causing serious financial and psychological strain on repeat victims.

Mícheál Clohessy, a garage-owner from Littleton, has had up to 15 break-ins at his premises in the last few years:

The lack of garda manpower was a major complaint, but the meeting also heard calls for stonger tresspass laws and bail rules for repeat offenders, including electronic tagging.

Martina Cummins feels rural crime is just not taken seriously. She was driving with her four children, including her newborn baby, when a thief on the run crashed into her car:

Locals have now taken matters into their own hands and set up a group called ‘Save Our Local Community’, in conjuction with the gardaí, to combat local crime.

But they insist only an overhaul of policing and the judicial system will stem the wave of crime in rural Ireland.

Mary Morrissey says she will learn pretty quickly how to use her shotgun, if she needs to.

In the meantime, she told last night's meeting that she has this letter in mind for the government: