Motorway CCTV cameras finally operational

The cameras were installed some years back

CCTV cameras that were installed on the M7 at Burgess and Birdhill several years ago are now finally operational.

Last week's meeting of Tipperary Joint Policing Committee was informed that camera surveillance at Burgess and Cooleen, Birdhill, is now up and running. This followed a long and protracted process that recently culminated with sign-off by the Garda Commissioner's office.

Unfortunately, several other planned CCTV schemes, including those for the towns of Borrisokane and Roscrea, are still going through this process. Cllr Noel Coonan told the meeting that Roscrea is waiting four years for its scheme to get up and running. An iCloud system, which does not require poles, has been approved for the heritage town, but every JPC meeting hears of no progress in setting up surveillance, Cllr Coonan complained.

He said people in the local community have invested a lot of time and effort in providing a CCTV scheme. Garda management runs the risk of losing community support over the impasse, he warned.

Cllr Ger Darcy wanted a timeframe for putting the cameras up in Borrisokane. He understood that the local scheme is back with the Commissioner's office pending garda vetting. “People in the community have done all the hard work and they're just sick of it now,” Cllr Darcy said of the impasse.

In support, Deputy Mattie McGrath praised “the wonderful volunteers” that have done so much to provide CCTV in their communities. “Their spirit is broken over it,” was his summation of the holdup.

Chief Superintendent of the Tipperary/Clare Garda Division Colm O'Sullivan said the gardaí are doing all they can to progress the schemes. Clarification was required from a GDPR perspective in relation to the Roscrea scheme but that has now been resolved. There was a vetting issue for Borrisokane, where camera locations have now been resolved, though Chief Supt O'Sullivan was unable to provide a timeframe for their installation. He made the point that there is strict legislation on data protection, which the authorities have to ensure they are compliant with.

Meanwhile, Director of Services Brian Beck told the meeting that Tipperary Co Council has prepared a new policy for future CCTV applications.

It will encompass funding, operation and maintenance, as well as issues of GDPR and freedom of information.