Councillors call for full CCTV coverage to improve safety across Mayo town

Mayo Councillor Annie May Reape raised the issue at last week’s Ballina Municipal District meeting, saying: “It is a necessity, in the whole city. I’ve received complaints from people living in non-covered areas.”

The councillor pointed to a CCTV system recently installed in Killala by a Tourmakeady-based company, which has been well received. “CCTV, when it works well, is as good as two Gardaí on the street and can identify people,” she said.

When the topic was brought up at last week Ballina Municipal District meeting, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly supported the proposal, noting that the Killala system is a shared scheme involving local businesses, Gardaí, and the installation company, which also manages data retention.

“Any request from the Gardaí goes to the firm, taking the burden off local people,” he said.

Cllr Reape added that while she would like implementation next week, that is not feasible, highlighting the urgency of the issue. We need to talk to the company, and once we have an agreement, they can put it in place very quickly.”

While welcoming CCTV, Cllr Michael Loftus stressed it should not replace frontline policing. “This system ticks all the boxes and is a positive investment, but we should have more Gardaí on the ground, not fewer,” he said.

Cllr Reape also said any future development of CCTV in the town should be progressed in conjunction with Ballina’s newly appointed Garda Superintendent, Ursula Hussey, whose appointment was welcomed by councillors.

Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána has launched a public consultation on a draft Code of Practice for Public CCTV. The new draft Code of Practice will guide the operation of public CCTV to ensure it is used solely for policing purposes, including the prevention, investigation, detection, and prosecution of crime.

The public is invited to submit feedback by February 24, 2026, which will help shape the implementation of CCTV across the country.

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