The Minster for Agriculture is urging communities to remain vigilant in order to help combat the increase in rural crime.
The comments from Minister and Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue come as Garda investigations are continuing into three separate attacks on older people in their homes including recent aggravated burglary on Tom Niland.
An appeal for witnesses has been launched after two elderly people were threatened at knife point in Gurranabraher in Cork city shortly after 7.30 yesterday morning.
The intruder left the scene with a sum of cash, while the man in his 70s and woman in her 80s were treated at the scene for non-life threatening injuries.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says local communities must be vigilant:
