Independent councillor for Limerick City East, Elena Secas, has welcomed the Garda Commissioner’s long awaited decision to approve CCTV schemes for several areas in Limerick, including the Castletroy Greenway.
The CCTV will be installed in People’s Park in Limerick City, Moyross and St Mary’s Park. Cameras will also be installed at two new locations, along with the relocation of existing cameras.
A new CCTV scheme comprising 15 locations will be introduced in Killeely and Garryowen. Weston Gardens will also receive CCTV at one location.
The CCTV systems will not be live monitored and will operate on a recording basis only.
Cllr Secas said CCTV for the Castletroy Greenway is something she has campaigned for since the project first began.
“From the outset, I highlighted that safety must come first and must go hand in hand with investment,” she said.
She added that time has shown the Greenway can be challenging if people of all ages do not feel safe using it.
Cllr Secas also spoke about the frustration of raising the need for CCTV with council and Garda officials.
“It’s been deeply frustrating that it has taken longer to approve the CCTV than it did to actually build the Greenway,” she said.
“Safety measures should never be an afterthought.”
The areas were not previously monitored. Locals had raised concerns about crimes going unseen and unreported.
Cllr Secas also praised the work carried out by the council.
“I wish to acknowledge the trojan work done by the Council’s dedicated team in the CCTV and Digital Strategy Department to get us to this stage,” she said.
“I will continue working with them to ensure the CCTV is installed without any further delay.”
The next step is the preparation and submission of applications under the Department of Justice Community Based CCTV Grant Aid Scheme.
Funding applications can only be made once authorisation has been granted by the Garda Commissioner, and that work is now under way.
Limerick City and County Council is currently working on a structured project plan for the rollout of the schemes.
The project will proceed as approved by the Garda Commissioner. However, delivery timelines will depend on funding approvals and procurement processes.