Talks to bring CCTV to Limerick city estate

COUNCIL officials are set to enter talks with gardai over installing closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) at one of the city’s largest housing estates.

A number of locations in Garryowen have been identified for security cameras, and council head of digital services, Alan Dooley, said it’s hoped these could be put up across the estate within nine months.

Labour councillor Conor Sheehan raised the issue at this month’s metropolitan meeting after he was told one camera by the shrine in Garryowen is out of use as it did not have authorisation from the garda commissioner.

“It’s been objectively and comprehensively documented that the community meets the need for CCTV cameras. It would make an enormous difference to the quality of life of residents there. I believe it will make the world of difference, given the volume of elderly people living there,” the northside councillor said.

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In response, Mr Dooley confirmed council was scoping out locations in Garryowen.

Once these have been identified, there will be further talks with senior garda officers locally.

Following this, funding will have to be sought.

“It’s important to understand funding is only the first step of a long and detailed data protection and governance process where the tests of necessity, proportionality and justification may fail at any stage,” he warned members.