CCTV plans for Kilcoole welcomed

THERE was a positive reaction from the public at a recent meeting held to discuss the installation of CCTV cameras in Kilcoole.

Deputy Stephen Donnelly and Cllr Gerry Walsh held the meeting in Kilcoole Community Centre, and said that there were no public objections voiced on the night.

Deputy Donnelly said that he and Cllr Walsh held the meeting to discuss recent suggestions to introduce CCTV in Kilcoole in an effort to combat crime.

‘Evidence shows us that these cameras can help to significantly lower the rate of break-ins. However, nothing of this nature should ever planned without the express consent of the community,’ said Deputy Donnelly. ‘That’s why we invited everyone, from local businesses, to local residents, to come meet us and have their say.’

Government funding is available to install CCTV in ‘at risk’ areas around the country. So far there has been a low uptake nationally, despite the fact that 60 per cent of the funding is offered upfront by the Government. The remaining 40 per cent is supplied by the council or through local fundraising.

Arklow was the first town in County Wicklow to apply for the grant. Blessington then followed and plans are well under way in Greystones to introduce CCTV there.

In Kilcoole, a quote has already been given to install cameras at a cost of €1,000 each. It’s estimated that five or six cameras would be needed, bringing the total cost easily below the €40,000 limit per area.

Several key locations for installation have also been suggested. These include: the bottom of Sea Road at the beach car park, Lott Lane, Main Street, Newcastle Road and Newtownmountkennedy Road.

‘We know that the Government’s CCTV scheme isn’t perfect. It’s been no secret that there is conflict between the Gardaí and local authorities over control of the images collected by the cameras since the introduction of new data protection rules this summer,’ said Deputy Donnelly.

‘With that said though, when we offered people in Kilcoole the chance to express their opinions on the subject they overwhelmingly showed that, yes, thy do want to bring CCTV cameras to their village.’ A GROUP called Wicklow Welcomes has been established to help improve the quality of life for the asylum seekers staying at the Direct Provision Centre in the Grand Hotel.

The committee includes volunteers as well as church leaders such as Rev Jack Kinkead, the head of Wicklow and Killiskey.

The community group has been set up to organise and provide ongoing support to residents currently being housed in the Grand Hotel.

‘We are still in our early days but people have been very good and have offered us lots of support,’ said Rev Kinkead. ‘This is all pretty new to us so we are just feeling our way around a bit at the moment. Things have been very positive and we are delighted to see there are so people out there who care. It has to be very disorientating to come to a new place so we just want to make everyone feel comfortable’.

Eight volunteers from Wicklow Welcomes will be Garda vetted and are currently awaiting their clearance so they can work more closely with the Aasylum seekers. Volunteers belonging to Wicklow Welcomes have also established a playroom in the Grand Hotel which contains toys donated by members of the public.

A recreational room is also being fitted out in the Friar’s Suite and will include DVDs, computer games, table tennis and a pool table.

A Liaison Officer from the Department of Justice will be deployed to provide any medical and educational needs which are required.

Forty-four people are staying at the Grand at the moment, mostly families, with an additional 16 people due to arrive this week. They mainly come from the likes of Sudan, Congo, Bolivia, Albania and Georgia.

Wicklow Welcomes have a number of further events in the pipeline, including a welcoming coffee morning. Further donations from the public will also be sought once the Wicklow Welcomes volunteers pass their Garda vetting.

‘We have been especially overwhelmed by the amount of goodwill and support we have received. People have been very generous. We will be talking to everyone when they arrive to the centre to see what their needs might be. In particular we want any children staying here to enjoy a good and happy childhood,’ said Rev Kinkead.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or lend a hand can visit the Wicklow Welcomes Facebook page.