A delegation of residents from a County Antrim village have met politicians in Dublin to highlight sectarian attacks and intimidation.
Houses have been attacked in Ahoghill
The group, from Ahoghill, put their case during discussions with TDs in the hope that they might intervene.
They were accompanied by Sinn Fein representatives.
Catholic homes, churches and schools were targeted in a series of attacks in the village during the summer.
Sinn Fein's North Antrim assembly member Philip McGuigan, who attended Wednesday's meetings, said politicians in the Irish Republic could influence events in Northern Ireland and must be prepared to do so.
Last month, police drafted extra officers into the Ahoghill and Ballymena areas as part of "Operation Striker".
The operation covered 50 Catholic-owned properties, churches, schools and GAA sports grounds.
Vehicle checkpoints were set up in Ballymena, Ahoghill and Portglenone. Mobile patrols covered other locations.