Calls for CCTV rollout in vandalism-hit Galway site amid data protection hurdles
Galway councillors are calling for urgent action on the rollout of CCTV cameras in public areas plagued by vandalism, but say progress is being stalled by GDPR limitations.
At this month’s Galway County Council plenary meeting, Councillor Alan Harney called for a concrete timeline for the installation of surveillance systems at key locations, including the Dunlo Running Track, Bringbanks, and other litter-prone sites.
The running track has been repeatedly targeted, with damage reported to toilet and changing room facilities. Councillors fear the situation will deteriorate further without intervention.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Cllr Harney said the delay is not due to funding constraints but rather “red tape” surrounding data protection policy and implementation.
“There’s kind of two parts,” he explained. “We have the system in the centre of town that’s actually there and it needs to just be turned back on. I appreciate that because it is a public space, the data protection concerns are heightened.
“Then we have the facility like the Dunlo Running Track, which is a council-owned facility, and I think the data protection impact concerns there are lesser.”
“While it's a public facility, it is a council managed facility, and it's not a space people have to go into if they have issues with data protection or issues with being on camera. They can also use alternative facilities in the area, if that is what they want to choose.”
Cllr Harney acknowledged the heightened scrutiny facing local authorities, noting that “a number of local authorities were prosecuted by the Data Protection Commission in years gone by, where they hadn’t adequately worked through the policies and procedures in the operation of their CCTV systems.”
In August 2023, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) launched an inquiry into Galway County Council’s compliance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in relation to CCTV use for prosecution purposes. The DPC found the council “lacked a valid legal basis for the processing of personal data” and failed to properly notify the public through signage.
New legislation introduced in 2024 outlines clearer guidelines for CCTV usage and compliance. Local authorities received guidance from the Department of Justice to implement the policies however, a roll out delay continues.
Councillor Evelyn Parsons, also a Ballinasloe representative, has spoken on this issue during meetings saying the “havoc” caused by the unchecked damages are felt by the whole town.
“It should be protected for the public and for the public’s use,” said Cllr Parsons suggesting a caretaker of the grounds in the interim until CCTV is approved. “At this moment in time we need to address the protections moving forward.”
Cllr Parsons argued that hiring a groundskeeper would ultimately save money, as it would reduce the cost of repairing damage.
However, finance director Katie O’Connor, presenting the Ballinasloe annual draft budget this month, confirmed that while the parks budget is set to increase, it does not include a salary allocation for such a role.
Alternatively, while the councillors continue to advocate for the implementation of these systems, applications for the CCTV Grant Aid Scheme remain open. This scheme supports up to €45,000 per successful application from communities and local authorities who want to install and maintain CCTV security systems. The process of approval involves support from the local authority and Garda authorisation.