Cameras to be placed at Traveller sites

CLARE COUNTY Council has given the go-ahead for surveillance cameras to be installed at two Traveller accommodation sites in the county.

The decision is part of a €100,000 council investment to install closed-circuit television cameras at three Traveller sites in Ennis and Shannon.

Cameras are to be set up at Beechpark outside Ennis, Ballymurtagh in Shannon and at the Ashline site in Ennis.

The council is proposing six cameras to be hoisted on 25ft poles at each site.

Council member and chairman of the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee Brian Meaney (Green) defended the cost.

“It is regrettable that the spend has to be made, but it is necessary because of the damage done to Traveller accommodation units in the past. This money would be far better spent on housing people, but the council has no choice. It is an unfortunate reflection of the attitude towards the Traveller accommodation that the council has provided.”

The move follows the committee’s annual report, which complains about widescale breaches of tenancy agreements and levels of anti-social behaviour connected with the council’s traveller accommodation programme.

It also expressed concern about the “inordinate cost of maintenance of new constructed Traveller accommodation”.