TALKS ARE progressing between An Garda Síochána and staff in the West Clare Municipal District on the Gardaí taking ownership and operation of CCTV infrastructure in Kilrush Town.
Referencing the Circular Economy Bill which addresses “substantial GDPR issues in relation to CCTV,” Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) requested the Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee (FG) through An Garda Síochána to “take in charge, control, operation and maintenance of the CCTV infrastructure within Kilrush Town to be utilised for crime prevention and detection, safeguarding and protecting the public”.
Acting senior executive officer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley confirmed that they are in engagement with Gardaí regarding CCTV in Kilrush. “This is progressing in line with the developing new national legislation,” he stated.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Lynch recalled a recent robbery in Kilrush where the cameras were in the ideal position “to pinpoint within hours who the robber was”. He said, “now is the time for Gardaí to take ownership of the cameras”.
Use of CCTV “certainly belongs in the hands of An Garda Síochána,” Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) agreed. “While community groups can install CCTV there is the potential for unintended consequences,” he cautioned.
Addressing the meeting, O’Malley said their most meeting with Gardaí on the matter was over a month ago. “We have a very good understanding that the Gardaí are going to take that element of it”.
