A widow who sleeps with a shotgun has told a meeting of residents in Tipperary that rural Ireland is no longer a nice place to live.

Mary Morrissey was one of those who attended a mass meeting at the Anner Hotel in Thurles last night, along with at least 1,500 others.

She says she has taken her own preventative measures, after a previous break-in during which her late husband's belongings were taken.

"We have an alarm in the house and I have two dogs...and they are the best alarm out" she said.

But she told the meeting: "It's not nice living on your own in rural Ireland anymore".

"I saw ministers here tonight, and I'd love to send a letter with them: 'Dear Enda and Ms Fitzgerald - you have failed us. You have failed to take action'".

Mrs Morrissey added: "I never thought I'd be going to bed at night with a gun in one corner, and cartridges in the room next door".

"I don't know how to use it, but I'll learn very quick if I have to", she added.

The Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk heard her plea this morning:

Many of those present have had to update their security systems, but that in itself causes difficulties as these speakers explained: 

Martina Cummins told the crowd about her terrifying experience at the hands of a thief whose getaway van ploughed into the car she was driving, in which she was carrying her four children - a newborn baby, a 4-year-old and two teenage children:

Another man, who was in the audience, asked why criminals cannot be tagged:

A Garda Assistant Commissioner apologised to the crowd for the experiences they have had to endure: