McDowell eyes €1.5m CCTV roll-out

THE number of security cameras in towns is set to increase dramatically in the new year after grants were awarded to dozens of projects as part of a €1.5 million scheme.

Close circuit television (CCTV) camera systems are to be installed shortly in 13 towns, including Tralee, Sligo, Waterford and Drogheda, while another 24 towns have been granted preliminary funding under the community CCTV scheme.

The Department of Justice has given preliminary funding of up to €5,000 for the installation of CCTV systems in areas like Blackpool in Cork city, Clonmel, New Ross and Ballina. In Dublin, nine community groups in the inner city and suburbs like Tallaght received the grants.