The force has said there is a significant amount of misinformation online about the incident. 

Many speakers called for more gardai to be urgently sent to the town.

Hundreds of people gathered at the car park in St Nathy's Cathedral at 5pm before making their way down to the garda station at the other end of town, carrying lighted candles.

All the figures are gross amounts, subject to taxation and based on length of service.

It comes ahead of a crime protest in the west Roscommon town at 5 o'clock this evening, starting at St Nathy's Cathedral car park before making its way down to the garda station at the other end of town. 

The protest is being organised by a group called Ballaghaderreen Concerned Citizens.

Experts from the US and throughout Europe will take part in the event in Lough Key Forest Park next September.

Tom Cunningham was speaking at a public meeting about rural crime in his home parish of Glinsk last night.