Council asked to fund CCTV to combat burglaries

Terrified householders in some estates around the county – living in fear over an upsurge in burglaries – are looking to install CCTV as a last resort.

That’s what Cllr Donagh Killilea told a meeting of Galway County Council, as he underlined his claim that burglaries were not just confined to rural areas but were also happening in estates.

Cllr Killilea revealed that representatives from several estates had contacted him to see if the Council would fund the cameras.

He replied that he was not aware if the local authority had the resources to provide cameras in estates – and added that, even if they had, the current legislation does not allow for the footage to be used in a criminal prosecution.

Cllr Killilea said that there had been a spate of burglaries in the Corofin and Belclare areas over the past couple of months.

The vast majority of them were in rural areas – but he also revealed that the rise in burglaries in some estates in Tuam had led residents to explore a plan to install cameras at various locations.

“They are now looking for CCTV cameras to be installed such is the fear that exists in estates. It is no longer just a rural problem,” Cllr Killilea added.

This was endorsed by Cllr Andrew Reddington (FG) who referred to the recent break-in on the home an elderly person in the Headford area.

The 99-year-old woman was robbed while asleep in her bed and a sizeable amount of cash was taken in the process.

Cllr Reddington said that the reduction in the number of Gardaí in mainly rural areas was a major concern and he asked that this be addressed by the Joint Policing Committee, which has representatives from the Gardaí, elected representatives and members of the various community organisations.

“Everyone has to report suspicious vehicles or suspicious movement of persons in their area. Then the Gardaí have no choice but to respond,” he added.

Cllr Mary Hoade (FF) said that the increase in rural break-ins was a source of major concern and she wanted community alert schemes to be aware of the situation.

She asked that they communicate with each other to make local residents aware of the threat of break-ins if the incidents occur in their particular area.

Cllr Shelley Herterich Quinn (FF) said that there was a problem setting up community alert schemes in certain parts of the Athenry area.

She referred to a break-in 400 metres from the Garda Station in the town and urged the Council to provide assistance in the establishment of these schemes.