There are fears in the tight-knit community of Athleague that the longer the beef dispute goes on the more chance there is of deep divisions forming. The west Roscommon town depends greatly on farming and the Keypak meat plant and news of countrywide layoffs has produced shock waves . Locals on both sides of the river Suck are worried while outside the Keypak plant a group of farmers have put up a Christmas tree, indicating they are in for the long haul.