FARMING organisations are calling on the Minister for Justice to review policing in rural areas following a spate of robberies on elderly people this week.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) will meet Ms Owen next week on ways to combat rising rural crime.
Some old people in isolated areas are so afraid of being robbed overnight that they are sleeping during the day and staying awake through the night, according to the chairman of the ICMSA's rural development committee, Mr Dan McCarthy.
Mr McCarthy said the country was now "reaping the reward" of downgrading and closing rural Garda stations over three years.
He said gardai in local stations could identify strangers, and local people could easily contact gardai if they had any worries.
The ICMSA's proposals to combat rural crime include increasing Garda personnel and resources in rural areas and providing vulnerable old people with personal alarms.
The IFA chairwoman, Ms Joan Fitzpatrick, said the garda "on the heat" was the best defence against incoming gangs of thieves. Both groups also encourage participation in community alert schemes.
Meanwhile, the Toyota car used by the young couple who robbed seven elderly people living alone in three counties this week has been found in the Dublin area.
Supt Bill Fennel of Tuam, Co Galway, said that gardai were anxious to reduce crime against older people living alone, and to offer assistance on prevention measures. He said they were confident of catching those responsible for the robberies in counties Longford, Roscommon and Galway.