Concerned residents from the Finn Valley area held a rosary service and prayer vigil outside the Yutopia Party Shop which opened on Garvan Court, on Monday morning.

One of those who took part in the vigil said it was organised to protest at the "air of seediness" which the premises brought to the area.

"In a town where there is no employment, this only goes to bring an air of seediness to an otherwise decent place," the person asserted.

She added that following the vigil, which had been planned to run continuously throughout the day, the group decided to continue their prayers in their own homes.

She also said they wished for parents to warn their children "of the dangers of wandering into such a place."

The local woman said a number of protesters visited the area to pray and a number of other local residents visited the shop to voice their concerns to its employees.

A spokesperson for Yutopia Party Shop said on Monday that there were a small number of people protesting at 12.30pm and they felt it was "just to make a point."

She defended the shop's opening saying the items on sale were only intended for private use.

"What we sell is what you would use in the privacy of your own house and it is not intended to harm anyone," she stated.

"There are two rooms in the shop where the items are kept and they are not on display the minute you walk in. We have had a lot of curious people walking past today," the spokesperson added.