Funding for CCTV at antisocial blackspots in Galway not being claimed

The protracted process for approving surveillance cameras at antisocial blackspots around the city is risking the loss of substantial grant funding to pay for them.

Labour Councillor Billy Cameron told a City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting that he had submitted a motion to Galway City Council to apply for cameras at Steamer’s Quay in Woodquay under the Department’s community CCTV scheme and had received back two completely different replies from the Local Authority.

Independent Cllr Terry O’Flaherty had done the same for two locations on the east of the city, at Walter Macken Place in Mervue and at Sruthan Coillte, an estate near Merlin Castle.

Funding of €5,000 was allocated some years ago but the cameras were never installed in these areas.

Cllr Cameron wants cameras to be erected by the water to thwart groups gathering to take drugs, drink and annoying residents.

The new grant scheme to fund CCTV from the Department of Justice and Equality will pay 60% towards the cost of the equipment to make communities feel safer by deterring antisocial behaviour. The maximum grant available is €40,000.

The application for the scheme stated that the location for the cameras needed to be approved by the local policing committee, Cllr Cameron stated.

“A list of priority areas need to be drawn up by this JPC for CCTV in order to take advantage of the gift horse that this CCTV scheme is,” he pleaded.

“This is a residential area bordered by water. Any time the Gardaí require information you go to the Galway Rowing Club. It has CCTV. But where this drug taking is in operation is not covered. Steamer’s Quay is looking up the length of the river.

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley said the Gardaí had received no applications for new CCTVs.

“It would be an awful pity not to avail of it in the division,” he concurred.

Fine Gael Councillor Frank Fahey said he understood that residents would have to come up with other 40% of the cost of the cameras, which he thought unlikely. He also believed expecting the Council to cough up that amount would prove futile.

Acting Senior Executive Officer Gary McMahon told the JPC that he would seek clarification about the scheme and what was involved in applying.

“I understand there is a variety of bodies you can get funding from. There is an ongoing cost. You have to have someone at the other end to see what’s going to … there may be other community sources we may be able to squirrel from for 2018.”