'No more waffle' around CCTV delays

Frustration boiled over at the recent Cavan Belturbet Municipal District meeting as councillors demanded action on the long-delayed rollout of CCTV systems in Belturbet, Ballyconnell and Ballyjamesduff - schemes first earmarked more than a decade ago.

Independent councillor Brendan Fay warned there was “no more waffle” to be tolerated over repeated delays, saying local communities were tired of promises that never materialised. The motion called on Cavan County Council to work alongside An Garda Síochána to examine the expansion of CCTV coverage in the three towns to improve public safety and deter anti-social behaviour.

Speaking passionately at the meeting, Cllr Fay said the issue had dragged on for far too long. “Every meeting it’s ‘it’s coming, it’s coming’. It’s been coming for 10 or 12 or 15 years,” he said.

“Community safety is one of the most important issues. Belturbet, Ballyconnell and Ballyjamesduff were the pilot schemes in our county to roll this out, and yet here we are years later still talking about it.”

Fay criticised what he described as excessive bureaucracy surrounding data protection regulations. “We’re all being hampered under this wonderful new thing called GDPR, which really seems to protect all the wrong people and not protect the good people,” he said.

The councillor highlighted repeated incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at public amenities funded by the council. “There’s doors broken, stuff smashed and kids sitting on the roofs of buildings. If something happens, who’s responsible?” he asked. “I think it’s absolutely waffle that we’re still talking about this years later. I’m not going to stop raising it.”

In 2023, councillors were told the cameras would be operational by September of that year. At the time, 36 community CCTV projects had been approved nationally, with almost €1 million (€958,689) committed under the scheme.

Applications were live in several County Cavan towns including Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet and Ballyconnell. To date, Ballinagh remains the only operational community CCTV scheme in the county.

Cllr Damien Brady (SF) said communities had invested significant time and resources preparing for the systems. “We had cameras bought, poles in place, electricity connected and number plate recognition ready to go,” he said. “We were ready, but nothing happened. The frustration is enormous.”

Other councillors echoed the anger. Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) said he was “slightly baffled” nothing had progressed, adding: “We shouldn’t be hiding behind GDPR.”

His party colleague Áine Smith said volunteers were becoming disillusioned as public facilities continued to be vandalised. “CCTV would deter people from doing this."

Meanwhile, Cllr Niamh Brady (FG) agreed the public was “well fed up” with GDPR being repeatedly cited as the reason for delays.

Responding on behalf of the council, Director of Services Brendan Jennings said the hold-up now rests with the Department of Justice.

A national Code of Practice for community CCTV schemes remains unsigned by the Minister for Justice following public consultation finished earlier this year.

“The Garda Commissioner is not signing off on any funding for CCTV until the code of practice is agreed upon,” he explained. “That’s where the standstill is.”