'Seething' over delay to Carrickmacross CCTV system

A decision by Monaghan County Council to readvertise tenders to deliver a new CCTV scheme for Carrickmacross sparked outrage at the local MD meeting this week.

Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon was “absolutely seething” on hearing the latest development, the project having secured approval from the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan in November 2025.

It emerged that the cost of delivering the scheme - last put at €229,000 - is the cause of the delay; with Department approval only in place for €40,000 of the total.

Asking a series of questions on the cost and status of the project, Cllr O’Hanlon vented: “I’ve been going around telling people it’ll be June or July... It’s been sitting here for seven months, I just feel that there is very little urgency with the executive… very little has happened.”

Defending the executive’s position, Director of Services for the MD, Cathal Flynn said: “The lowest tender for the CCTV system is €229k. It is not provided for in the budget for 2026. I’ve asked that it be retendered, trying to ensure that we get the best value for money in terms of the system that is proposed.”

Cllr O’Hanlon said he was “extremely disappointed” at the news and asked if the balance of funding could be found elsewhere.

However Mr Flynn said that the income generated from Local Property Tax (LPT) was already fully committed.

Noting that additional money was found for projects such as the Peace Campus and BioConnect when required, Cllr O’Hanlon added: “I’m not accepting that it’s going out to tender again. I don’t think it’s fair. The people of Carrickmacross deserve better.”

District Co-ordinator Damien Thornton explained that the council intends splitting up the tender into different elements, and seeking firms locally to bid for the jobs, rather than getting one firm to deliver it in its totality.

Again expressing his opposition, Cllr O’Hanlon said: “I will not be supporting the adoption of any proposed increase in the LPT unless I’m given a commitment that CCTV is proceeding.”

Mr Flynn said that he was fully entitled to put the scheme back out to tender if he felt that the taxpayer is not getting good value for money, in fact, it is his responsibility as Director of Services for the MD.

Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Keelan observed: “The executive is always trying to advance projects. Taxpayers’ money does need to be protected. If it needs a bit more time, so be it. Getting local contractors involved is good thinking.”

While praising Cllr O’Hanlon’s passion for crime prevention and detection, Cllr Keelan continued: “I don’t think anyone is sitting on their hands. The scheme experienced a blockage at the highest level.”

Cllr O’Hanlon reiterated: “It’s been sitting at this MD for seven months.”

Sinn Féin Cllr Colm Carthy shared the cathaoirleach’s frustration: “€189,000 is not massive … but we have a responsibility to use public money wisely. In terms of timeframe, it’s something we have to do. Cathal has a responsibility, we have to agree with the executive, if there is an opportunity to save money by splitting the tender up.”

Fine Gael’s Peter Conlon asked for an updated timeline. Mr Flynn said that it would take eight weeks for revised estimates. Cllr Conlon asked for an update at the July MD meeting.

It was agreed that the item will remain on the agenda until the CCTV system is up and running.

Separately, the issue was raised in Seanad Éireann last week by Senator Robbie Gallagher (FF) who asked Minister O’Callaghan for a start date.

The Minister said he could not provide one but stressed the importance of co-ordination between the local authority and An Garda Síochána.

The project will include 17 CCTV cameras across 14 locations in Carrickmacross.