Elderly people in County Waterford are living in fear over the levels of rural crime being carried out.

That’s the view of Mayor of Waterford Declan Doocey who has been reacting to the murder of retired 90 year old farmer Paddy Lyons.

28 year old Ross Outram from Clonmel, County Tippeary was jailed for life for his murder yesterday.

Councillor Doocey says people living in isolated areas are afraid: “Everyone knows one another, and everyone gets on with one another. They look out for one another, especially the elderly. And the fright and the shock that they all got… a lot of people, especially the elderly, will they ever get over that this could happen in their community.”