Tackling crime - CCTV approved for Borrisokane

Tipperary Joint Policing Committee has formally approved a CCTV camera surveillance scheme for the town of Borrisokane.

Community CCTV schemes in Borrisokane, Roscrea and Littleton were discussed at the this month’s JPC meeting, at which local councillor Ger Darcy said a very active local group in Borrisokane has prepared a scheme for the main street. Cllr Darcy spoke of Borrisokane being on a busy thoroughfare with several thousand vehicles passing through every day and a considerable amount of antisocial behaviour.

Speaking of the importance of garda presence in rural communities, Cllr Darcy said a CCTV scheme is “badly needed” in Borrisokane. “The guards can't be everywhere at one time. CCTV is extra eyes all over the place.”

The local group has secured a sponsor for their CCTV scheme, and they have the support of Nenagh Municipal District and the gardaí in Borrisokane. Thanking all concerned, Cllr Darcy called on the JPC to “strike while the iron is hot” so that the Borrisokane application could be sent to the Garda Commissioner for approval.

Chief Superintendent Derek Smart said CCTV cameras would greatly assist the gardaí in Borrisokane and he supported the application.

Director of Services with Tipperary Co Council Pat Slattery stressed that the application is “not a simple process”. Approval from the Commissioner must be awaited before appointing a contractor to install and then commission the scheme. While there is still “a long and difficult road ahead”, Mr Slattery said the securing of private funding in Borrisokane means an application to the Dept of Justice is not necessary, so the scheme should move a lot faster than that of Roscrea.

An arrangement has been made whereby the council can act as data controller in all community CCTV schemes being rolled out in the county. However, Mr Slattery pointed out that a number of other similar schemes, such as those of Burgess and Littleton, are still to be finalised. JPC Chairman Cllr Noel Coonan said the CCTV group in Roscrea would be meeting this week following the appointment of a council official to assist with its application. Approval for the Roscrea scheme was granted last year.