£12m to be spent on CCTV over next three years

The Government is to spend £12m to expand the system of on street security cameras around the country. The cameras, which are already in place in parts of Dublin and Cork, will be installed in at least 16 more towns and cities including Limerick and Galway. The ten priority areas for CCTV schemes are: Athlone, Bray, Clondalkin, Dundalk, Dun Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway, Limerick, Tallaght and Waterford. The Government says that it will also provide funding in the form of capital cost grants to local community groups in non-priority areas who wish to install a similar system in their area.

Close circuit security cameras are already operating in Dublin's Temple Bar and North City, as well as Tralee and Cork City centre. They are monitored by the Gardaí who say they are a successful deterrent against and detection weapon for thefts and public order offences.