Call for installation of CCTV cameras in Cork city park to be prioritised

An urgent call has been made to An Garda Síochána to “speed up internal approvals” regarding the implementation of CCTV at Loughmahon Park.

Following a recent bout of anti-social behaviour in the area, including one recent occasion where a fire was set inside a wheelie bin in the park, Labour Party councillor for the Cork city South East ward, Peter Horgan, has renewed his calls for the installation of CCTV cameras.

Mr Horgan said that gardaí need to prioritise this matter after the latest fire was put out by Cork City Fire Brigade.

“It’s not acceptable to stand idly by and see anti-social behaviour blight a public park that Cork City Council has invested in but cannot protect,” said Mr Horgan.

“I’ve raised this at numerous safety fora, and I’ve questioned senior gardaí on it, but still they have not brought forward proposals for a CCTV scheme to protect public amenities like Loughmahon Park or the Line/Blackrock Passage greenway. 

Lack of frontline gardaí

"The net result is anti-social, in my view, criminal behaviour that is not being curtailed because we have a lack of frontline gardaí and a lack of CCTV resources to deter or catch these people defacing public property. 

"Senior gardaí in Dublin need to cut the red tape, progress the CCTV schemes, and bring some sort of peace-of-mind back for local residents.”

Mr Horgan said he will continue to seek this security investment along with dedicated allocations to Blackrock garda station for frontline gardaí.

This incident of anti-social behaviour comes as investigations remain ongoing in an assault case where two teenagers were attacked on Ballinure Avenue in Mahon on August 31.

One of the victims, a 17-year-old boy, required hospitalisation following the attack.