‘CCTV funding is vital for security of Killorglin’

THE voluntary committee overseeing Killorglin’s CCTV network is urgently appealing to the government to start funding the system again amid fears this invaluable tool in the town’s crime-busting arsenal might fall by the wayside.

Local CCTV was key to securing the conviction of Aurimas Andruska for the horrific double murder in the town of mother-and-daughter Jolanta and Enrika Lubiene.

But with the Department of Justice funding that once existed for the system no longer in place, the dedicated committee behind the network of cameras is working harder than ever to raise funds from locals and businesses.

They met with Kerry Chief Superintendent Tom Myers and senior gardaí on the issue last week, securing the support of the force in their calls for public funding to be reissued for a policing tool all are agreed is absolutely vital.

“It’s getting to the stage now where we are seriously worried about the future of this vital system due to the lack of Government funding,” committee member and County Councillor Damian Quigg said.

A new fundraising initiative was launched last week – special ‘ log’ books selling locally for €5 in which townspeople can list all items of value in their homes to help in the fight against burglary and crime.

“We’ve agreed now to bring a motion before the next meeting of the county’s Joint Policing Committee with a view towards pursuing funding through the Department of Local Government from the Council,” Cllr Quigg added.

Chief Supt Myers told The Kerryman that gardaí are fully behind the committee’s calls.

“It is a fantastic system that requires investment to upgrade, and is particularly important with Killorglin a gateway town to South Kerry,” he said.