*Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF). Photograph: John Mangan
A “PLIGHT” of criminality is spreading across Ennis and its environs while senior officials in Clare County Council held “a very productive meeting” An Garda Síochána this week where anti-social behaviour were among the issues discussed.
In a proposal before Tuesday’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) referenced “ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour and criminality affecting several areas in our town”. He called on Ennis MD to deal with relevant stakeholders to ensure all CCTV systems in housing estates across the MD “are fully operational, recording, and correctly oriented throughout the Christmas holidays”.
He explained that this would enhance the safety and security of residents during the festive season by “conducting a comprehensive audit of existing CCTV systems to identify and address any technical faults or misalignments. Collaborating with law enforcement and technical experts to verify the operational status of all cameras. Implementing any necessary updates or repairs to ensure all cameras are functioning effectively. Engaging with community representatives to raise awareness about the presence and benefits of CCTV surveillance in mitigating criminal activity”.
Senior engineer, Seán Lenihan outlined that this week staff within the Ennis MD “had a very productive meeting with senior members of An Garda Síochána and an outcome of same was for the relevant personnel in both organisations to engage further on what can be done at the earliest juncture. I will keep members informed of developments and am happy to meet/discuss with any community representatives that may have an interest or concern in this regard”.
Lenihan stated, “It is agreed that the presence of CCTV cameras serve as a significant deterrent to criminality and/or antisocial behaviour and provide a level of comfort to Communities and the public where they are in place and in operation. Members will be aware however, that there are strict GDPR issues relating to the use and location of CCRV cameras in the community”.
Ennis MD have also been engaging with colleagues in ICT, Data Protection and Finance regarding “a condition survey of existing CCTV cameras, what upgrades, replacements, additions that may be required/possible, a legal basis for having them to ensure compliance with Data Protection Regulations and securing the necessary funding for whatever changes and upgrades are required”.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Guilfoyle commented, “Our community has a plight of ASB and criminality spread across the whole MD, if I had a week longer to put the motion in there would be a paragraph asking for CCTV in Clarecastle because there was cars parked overnight damaged in Clarecastle in recent days”.
Clarecastle based Guilfoyle added, “It is getting out of control and out of hand, anything we can do to push back against it needs to be done and to be done as soon as possible”. He said “areas are finding themselves in battle against criminality”. CCTV which can be accessed by the Council and An Garda Síochána can help tackle the issue, he believed. “I travel to Madrid once a year the last couple of years, every twist and turn there is CCTV and TV programmes when there is criminal apprehended there is CCTV”.
He continued, “there is ten times more CCTV at the Queens Disco than in the town of Ennis, the Queens can have X amount of cameras but the town of Ennis has way less, we need to get real about making this the best town in Ireland, the best town for conferences and tourism, we need to get serious about CCTV in the New Year”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) stated, “the motion is worded about Ennis but there are issues in Clarecastle, it is awful to have to bring this up in a public forum but it has to be aired”.
Requests to utilise CCTV to tackle illegal activities have been raised “numerous times,” Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) flagged. “We need to be focusing on anti-social behaviour in the interest of retailers and customers, the public realm is open and the street never looked better, more people on the street makes it safer”.
Discrepancies where Gardaí appeal for dash cam footage to investigate accidents but are prohibited from utilising CCTV in other instances remained a bone of contention, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) acknowledged. “I as a woman think when CCTV is around I feel much safer, I have no problem being watched because it instils a sense of safety in myself when going about my daily business,” she admitted.
