Serious concern has been raised over how plans not to have armed members of Gardai on duty during certain hours of the day will impact border counties like Leitrim.
The proposals would see the Armed Support Unit not operating between the hours of 4am and 8am.
There are fears that the potential move would leave rural areas even more vulnerable, giving criminals motive to carry out crime during those hours.
Manorhamilton based Fine Gael Cllr Sean McDermott says it would be bizarre if it came to pass:
