‘It’s the same as telling a thief you’ll be waiting with a shotgun’ — public will be informed of location of new Wexford CCTV cameras
Wexford PeopleLetting illegal dumpers know where CCTV cameras are going to be placed is the same as “telling a thief you’ll be in the house waiting for him with a shotgun” according to independent councillor Paddy Kavanagh.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC) Cllr Kavanagh questioned the wisdom of holding a public consultation prior to the installation of six new cameras across the county.
“Having a public consultation where we let people know where they’re going is like telling the thief I’ll be in the house with a shotgun when you arrive. I don’t see the logic in advertising them,” he said.
However, according to county secretary Michael Drea, the council is not required to “pinpoint the exact location” of the cameras.
“The privacy rules state that you can’t erect CCTV in public areas unless you have the permission of Garda Commissioner, or if there’s a specific legal basis introduced which enforces criminality such as illegal dumping,” he said.
“We can be general and say there’s one being installed in the Enniscorthy district, and we can then erect CCTV within that area. But legally you must hold a public consultation.”
Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy contested this statement arguing that of the six new CCTV cameras being installed in the county, “five of them are at bring centres”.
“We do have to be specific, we’re not given any leeway at all,” she said.