Clash over ‘public order problem’
While some claimed violence, mayhem and vandalism were frequent in the town because of the large numbers of late night revellers, most local councillors, including mayor Phil O’Regan, insisted there was no public order problem.
Local businessman Cllr Peter Walsh told the meeting that CCTV at key locations would aid gardaí and provide security for residents, businesses and the protection of public property.
Large influxes of late night revellers, including hen and stag parties, he said added to the mayhem on the streets. Violence, vandalism and public order breaches were frequent, Cllr Walsh claimed.
Cllr Walsh said a committee should be set up to investigate the implementation of a CCTV system to help maintain Clonakilty’s clean, safe image.
However, insisting that motions tabled by Fine Gael’s Peter Walsh and Sinn Féin’s Cionnaith Ó Suilleabhain did a disservice to the town, Mayor Phil O’Regan twice used her casting vote to defeat proposals for the implementation of a CCTV system and the setting up of a special committee to tackle late night problems.
Ms O’Regan told Clonakilty Town Council she had spoken to a senior garda who assured her there were no anti-social problems.
Also opposing the motion for CCTV cameras, Cllr Anthony McDermott said the council should write to the department to get more garda resources. “A few more gardaí are better than 100 cameras,” he said.
Sinn Fein’s Paul Hayes said: “There’s no point in pretending nothing is happening.”
