Ballina's CCTV system isn't working as anger grows following car park incident

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District renewed calls for a fully functioning CCTV system after an incident in the Dunnes Stores car park. A motion was tabled following complaints from constituents about non-operational CCTV in Ballina. There are 40 cameras around Ballina operated by Mayo County Council, but councillors said the cameras are not working. A vehicle owner reported being told the CCTV system was not working when requesting evidence, and Gardaí said they could not access it under data protection. Councillors said assurances that CCTV is working are inaccurate and urged the council to examine introducing a new system. They cited working CCTV in Westport and Killala and suggested re-engaging ETI Security Systems.

"There are currently 40 CCTV cameras located around Ballina, operated by Mayo County Council. However, Cllr Reape said she understands the cameras are not working, and her motion asked the council to examine the possibility of introducing a new system. She said what prompted her to table the motion was a letter she had read in the Western People from a visitor to the town whose car was damaged in the Dunnes Stores car park."

"She explained that the owner of the vehicle had gone to the local council to request evidence from the CCTV camera in operation there, only to be told the system was not working. "When he contacted Gardaí, they said they couldn't access it under data protection," she said. "Every time we ask here, we are told that CCTV is working very well in Ballina - but it's not working, and I want people to know that.""

"Cllr Reape noted CCTV systems in Westport and Killala have been working well and suggested the council should re-enter discussions with ETI Security Systems. She added that a member of An Garda Síochána had told her that a good CCTV system is "better than two guards on a street". Cllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy supported the proposal, adding that the council needs to ensure it is looking after "as many places as possible, including housing estates"."

Read at Irish Independent