A public meeting is to take place in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, following what a local TD has described as an "unprecedented level of unease" in the town in recent weeks.
Sinn Féin Deputy Matt Carthy has confirmed that he will host the public meeting next Tuesday.
Gardaí, council officials, elected representatives from all parties, and local community groups have been invited to attend the meeting.
Members of the public will be given time to share their concerns and proposals on the night.
Deputy Carthy has said he has been contacted by several concerned residents in Carrickmacross who have asked him to organise the meeting.
"People in Carrickmacross are angry and frustrated. I share that anger and frustration. I live in Carrickmacross with my family. My office is in the town centre. I know that people often don't feel safe in our own town.
"There is an issue with anti-social behaviour and crime and a lack of garda visibility. There is an issue with dereliction as several prominent buildings in our town centre lying idle.
"There is a problem with the misuse of other buildings with apparent overcrowding of rental properties.
"Then there is the mismanagement of the migration system which has led to profiteering and a complete disregard for the needs of our local community or the capacity of services," he said.
The Sinn Féin TD, who recently was appointed chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, went on to say that the events of recent weeks have created concerns that must be addressed.
He said: "The image of a knife-wielding man on our main street has caused huge consternation. People are rightly demanding action.
"There is a lot of good work being done by local community organisations in Carrickmacross. They need support. Many businesses are doing their best to provide a service to the people of the town in very difficult circumstances. They need support.
"I fully understand why people have organised protests to express the anger and fear they feel. They are fully entitled to do so.
"This public meeting is an opportunity for people in Carrickmacross to constructively engage and send a message that things need to change. It is not a party-political meeting - It will be focused on identifying solutions to problems and giving local people an opportunity to have their voices heard.
"All residents of the Carrickmacross area are welcome to attend," Mr Carthy added.
The meeting will take place in the Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross on Tuesday 6 May at 8pm.
