The streets of Cork are now being watched by a bank of 25 closed-circuit Garda television cameras which are already playing a major part in the battle against street crime and unsocial behaviour, according to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, who has said grant aid will be available for communities who wish to install private systems.
Inaugurating the Cork City CCTV system, which cost in excess of €500,000, he said yesterday he had long been an enthusiastic supporter of the role it could play in the detection of crime.
The experience both in Ireland and other jurisdictions was that CCTV was a very positive aid in crime prevention and detection, Mr O'Donoghue said.
He added that business interests had reported significant reductions in on-street crime wherever the system was in use.
As well, CCTV had proved a valuable tool in the identification of suspects and in facilitating a more efficient use of Garda resources. Mr O'Donoghue said the Government had approved contracts for the installation of systems in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick, which would be operational by the end of the year.
Planning for systems in Athlone, Clondalkin, Waterford and Tallaght was well advanced, and work would begin on systems for Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo next year.
"There is another dimension to the presence of the all-seeing camera - it plays an important role in reducing the fear of crime and thereby improving the safety of the community and consequently the quality of life of those who live and work in areas where cameras are operational," Mr O' Donoghue added.
He said Government grant aid of up to €100,000 would be available from the Department of Justice for communities wishing to install and operate community-based systems.