Over 488 hours of CCTV footage activity were recorded in August, as questions continue about Limerick City’s monitoring network.
CCTV footage activity across Limerick City has increased by 85% compared to 2025, according to data presented to Limerick City and County Council.
During a special meeting of Limerick City and County Council on September 15, it was found that over 488 hours of CCTV footage were recorded in August 2026. This followed 36 requests for footage.
Limerick City accounted for 395 hours of the recorded activity while County Limerick only accounted for 92 hours.
The 85% increase involved footage recorded this year to date, compared with the same period in 2025. This data doesn’t represent an increase in footage requests or in crime.
These figures come as the future of Limerick’s CCTV monitoring service remains uncertain. The issue was raised in Dáil Éireann on October 7 when Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan questioned the government’s funding allocation. He asked whether the additional funding allocated to An Garda Síochána could instead be used to support further live monitoring in the city.
Mr Quinlivan also raised concerns about the staff at the Moyross monitoring centre being placed on protective leave and sought assurance that the CCTV cameras wouldn’t be turned off.
Social Democrats Cllr Shane Hickey O’Mara explained that continued funding for CCTV was important for all communities across the county.
“The continued funding of Limerick’s CCTV system is of the utmost importance and is something that Councillors from all parties and none agree must be ringfenced,” he said.
It costs an estimated €1.21 million annually to operate the CCTV network, according to the Council. Funding for the network in 2027 has been shown to total around €550,105, which leaves a projected shortfall of approximately €660,000.
Cllr Hickey O’Mara said the responsibility for securing long-term funding should rest with the central government.
He said, “It is not the mayor’s job to fund this network; it is the role of the government to listen and for our local TDs to advocate for this with their colleagues who hold the purse strings. “
He added that further funding from the mayor would be welcome if it’s available, although that could mean other local initiatives would suffer. “If this crucial issue continues to fall on deaf ears amongst the government parties, then I would welcome it. However, this will mean that other initiatives will likely suffer, so we’re in a real bind,” he said.
These figures highlight the level of importance in keeping Limerick’s CCTV network alive. For now, the Council continues to face the question: How will the network be funded in years to come?