Committee backs Knockbridge CCTV

GARDAI have given their backing to a proposal to make an application to the Department of Justice for a CCTV scheme for Knockbridge.

It was agreed at the Joint Policing Committee meeting to apply for a scheme for the village after Superintendent Gerry Curley said he believed that the installation of CCTV could help the whole area.

He pointed out that criminals use the area as a route into Dundalk and other areas. ‘ We have seen in the past, people who travel to commit crime use routes like Knockbridge to do ‘ hit and run’ crime.

Deputy Declan Breathnach and Cllr Maria Doyle spoke in favour of making the application for a CCTV scheme for Knockbridge, saying the community was in favour of it. They had visited Duleek where a such a scheme was in place.

It would, said Deputy Breathnach, be ‘a deterrent and also an aid to help in the apprehension of those who commit crimes’. He accepted that there were a number of issues to be worked out, including funding and who would be the data controller for the scheme, and he favoured the Gardai being in control of data.

Mr John Temple, however, expressed concerns about the proposal, complaining that they hadn’t been supplied with any data to back up calls for the scheme.

He pointed out that Knockbridge was in two Garda Districts, Dundalk and Ardee, and was worried about the strain which such a scheme would put on resources.

Deputy Breathnach explained that the committee’s approval was needed in order to process the application, which would involve a tendering process and evaluation.

‘Everyone recognises the benefits of CCTV,’ stated Inspector Curley. ‘It is beneficial to prevent and detect crime.’ He accepted that there would be issues around resources and undertook to speak to Chief Supt Christy Mangan about it.