Westport councillor calls for extension of town’s CCTV system

A WESTPORT councillor says he will provide funding to extend the town’s CCTV system to all approach roads to help deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

Independent councillor Christy Hyland proposed a motion at last week’s monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District to extend the existing CCTV system to cover a wider geographical area.

There are currently 18 CCTV cameras in Westport with the system directly linked to Westport Garda Station and they were installed in 2018.

Cllr Hyland said that these cameras have more than paid its way to the taxpayer and due to current increases in our population it is important that the most efficient CCTV system is available to support law and order in our area.

“With Garda resources at times stretched, it is important that whatever support can be put in place, should be put in place to ensure a safer society for all of our citizens,” he said.

Cllr Hyland was informed by council officials that budgets do not currently allow for the extension of the Westport Town CCTV Scheme but they will investigate potential national funding schemes to determine if the necessary funding can be secured to finance it.

Cllr Hyland replied that with new legislation to make it more application friendly for CCTV systems to be installed he would be prepared to allocate his GMA allocation to fund an extension to the scheme.

“I know that a figure of approximately €30,000 was quoted by a reputable company to cover all the approach routes with cameras into Westport town. Come hell or high water I will allocate the funding,” he concluded.