Business people in Ballymahon, Co Longford, struck by a series of robberies recently, have called for a full-time Garda station.
The most recent robbery was on Sunday night when three masked and armed raiders held a family and three postmen hostage in Ballymahon Post Office. But business people are worried that this is just the latest in a long list of crimes.
A meeting of the chamber of commerce tomorrow night will discuss the problem.
"There have been robberies at the post office, the local bank, in two post offices not far outside the town, and a local filling station," said Kieran O'Mahony, president of the chamber.
"We are calling on Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to ensure there is a full-time Garda station here in Ballymahon." He said the station in the town was only part-time at a time when the town was expanding.
"The population is almost 2000 and another 600 houses are planned," he said.
In another violent incident in the town, a man had his ear bitten off in a vicious attack.
This week's robbery saw raiders, armed with bats and an iron bar, hold June and John Dillon, and their 17-year-old daughter, Ann-Marie, hostage on Sunday night.
Three postmen - Terry Comiskey, Pat McCormack and Paudge Mangan - were also taken hostage when they arrived at the post office.
The three raiders escaped with a bag of cash and wallets and mobile phones belonging to staff.