CCTV worth €200,000 is approved for New Ross

Around €200,000 is being spent on numerous cameras for New Ross.

New Ross Municipal District cathaoirleach, Cllr Michael Sheehan said the application cleared the final hurdle on Monday following a presentation by Wexford County Council officials to the garda CCTV section last week.

The CCTV package will see three towns in Co Wexford, New Ross, Wexford and Enniscorthy, all have new CCTV cameras erected.

“Approval has been given for the scheme to proceed to the Garda Commissioner for his endorsement. I commend all of the officials for getting this over the line in what is a tortuous process. Now that we are in the final stage of clearance on the garda side locally officials will be working on the civil side of getting the contracts ready to go to tender on this project.”

Around €40,000 of the cost will be recouped from the Department of Justice.

Prior to the cameras being erected, a Data Privacy Impact Assessment was carried out.

The locations were chosen to protect council property and following requests from local garda management.

Four cameras are being erected on the greenway in Rosbercon, with a further four at the bridge on the Waterford side, where they will be used to check number plates.

Cameras will be erected on South Street, Quay Street, Sugarhouse Lane and North Street and in locations at Pearse Park.

The Irishtown ring road near the new heritage lighting will be another location, along with St Stephen’s Cemetery and the allotments, which is the scene of regular anti social behaviour and some criminal damage.

Cameras will also be erected in the Library Park, Church Lane, on the quay and in the town’s laneways.

Recordings will be kept for 28 days for garda operational purposes and will be stored at a safe location by the council. Gardaí will request the footage and the council will provide, as is the case with the town’s current, less comprehensive CCTV system.

Cllr Sheehan said works will be carried out in two stages, the installation of hardware and software and civil works. “The framework is already more or less in place. As soon as we get the approval of the commissioner – which will hopefully be before the summer – tender documents can be issued.

“The CCTV cameras will help us get to the root of anti social behaviour in the town. This will form part of the town centre rejuvenation to ensure we have a safe, secure town that is welcoming and pleasant. It will also be a huge step forward in protecting public property.”

He said the old cameras needed to be replaced, adding that the new cameras will act as a deterrent to criminals, while assisting gardaí in apprehending people who commit assaults and other serious crimes.

“Over recent weeks there is a menacing feeling about from some people being on the town so if there is any anti social behaviour going on the CCTV will ensure these people are identified.”

Cllr Sheehan said all going to plan the CCTV cameras will be in place for the end of this year.