A closed-circuit television system for the Garda covering the O'Connell Street area of Dublin was formally instituted yesterday. The Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, said the scheme would eventually cost £700,000 when extended to surrounding streets.
The Garda office in O'Connell Street - known to most members of the public as the place to pay parking fines - has been fitted with a monitoring centre with a bank of screens, where gardai can view pictures from cameras mounted on buildings and special pods in the area.
The first phase of the new system covers O'Connell Street and adjoining thoroughfares, including Eden Quay and Bachelors Walk. When completed it will also cover Dorset Street, Gardiner Street, Hardwicke Street, Capel Street, Amiens Street, the Custom house Quay and Sheriff Street.
A similar system is already operating in the Temple Bar area of Dublin. The Minister said that as a result, crime there had fallen by 50 per cent.
"Temple Bar did not have serious crime levels, but I am convinced that the cameras have acted as an effective crime-prevention measure, thereby reducing even what crime was there," she said.
Asked later for details of the 50 per cent crime reduction in Temple Bar, the Department of Justice said it had no other figures.
Ms Owen said more schemes were planned for Finglas in Dublin and Tralee, Co Kerry. Plans had been drawn up by business and community groups in 20 other areas.