People in rural areas are being urged to become more proactive in reporting suspicious activity, given recent high-profile attacks on older people.
Gardaí are said to be concerned about organised burglary gangs targetting vulnerable pensioners in their homes.
A 72 year-old man was attacked during a break-in at his house in Celbridge, Co. Kildare earlier this week, resulting in him being hospitalised with serious injuries.
Retired 73-year-old farmer Tom Niland is fighting for his life following a vicious burglary in his home in Skreen, County Sligo 3 weeks ago.
Nat O’Connor, policy specialist with Age Action, says attacks on older people are still rare:
