On-street violence heightens in Arklow

September 2003

CRIME and violence on Arklow streets has reached such a level that having closed circuit television cameras installed is the only way to combat it, according to a leading member of the Town Council.

Cllr Peter Dempsey says that rowdyism and public order offences are an all-too-common occurrence in the town, and that putting up hidden cameras at flashpoints will act as both a deterrent to or lead to the apprehension and prosecution of offenders.

He said that video footage captured on the cameras would be of great assistance to the hard-pressed Gardaí, who are trying to police the town with less manpower than they had a few years ago.

The anti-drugs councillor said he has first hand knowledge of how bad things have become, because a friend of his was badly beaten at Parade Ground in front of the Town Hall this summer.

‘ This man would have ended up in hospital, only for how another person came to his assistance,’ Cllr Dempsey said.

‘ This man is now afraid to walk down the street at night unless there is someone with him,’ he continued.

‘We’re not talking about a teenager but a married man, and no way can the attack on him be condoned.

At the moment there are vulnerable people who will not walk the streets on their own at night, and that’s not on,’ he said.

‘Camera would be able to put the finger on people doing this damage or involved in these rows and they would be brought to justice,’ he stated.

‘We need more Gardaí on our streets too, because in many cases there are not just rows, but riots and free-for-alls’.