Installation of CCTV at Sligo’s forest walk car parks would ‘create a safer experience for residents and tourists alike’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

In the wake of last month’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Cllr Ann Higgins raised the issue of gender based violence in her motion at the December meeting of Sligo County Council where she asked for consideration to be given to the possibility of the “Installation of CCTV cameras in all of the car parks of County Sligo’s forest walks to ensure a safe experience for all residents and tourists visiting our outdoor amenities.”

Addressing the Council Chamber, Cllr Higgins said while researching ahead of her speech for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women she was “Shocked and dismayed to learn 35% of Irish women have experienced psychological, physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner. My call on that day was that we collectively as a society and representatives refocus our efforts on what we can do, what we can control and what we can continue to advocate for.”

She also noted “A small number of women reported to me feeling unsafe, no report of attacks, just a general air of unease and lack of security” and feels the installation of cctv would help make these amenities safer.

Cllr Higgins added, “As an additional security measure it would be helpful to have cctv installed just in the car parks of our various woods such as Dooney Rocok or Hazelwood to act as a deterrent to vandals or any bad actors. It is well established practice in some international walks to have cctv installed in the arrival area so the comings and goings can be tracked.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh said he was fully supportive of any measure that would make our facilities safer.

The motion was also backed by Cllr Barry Gallagher who said, “You are 100% right. There is too much red tape and data protection with cctv. I am an installer of it, I know all about it. Every other country can do it, UK, America, bigger cities can do it. Where we are seeing things, we are throwing it back that it can’t be done, it can’t be in a public place. I think the red tape and consultation is killing everything in this country.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.