Street murder leads to calls for new CCTV system

THE violent death of a 50-year-old, homeless man following a street assault in Tralee, has intensified calls for a new close circuit television (CCTV) system in the town.

There are plans to provide CCTV cameras in 10 areas of Tralee — aimed at tackling increasing crime and street incidents — but a date has not yet been set for their installation.

Calls have been made for many years for a such a scheme, and Tralee has a worryingly high level of violent assaults.

The killing of Eddie Joe Clancy, who was assaulted in the Bridge Street area early last Tuesday, has also highlighted the need for more gardaí in Tralee.

Ironically, CCTV footage from cameras on business premises in the Bridge Street area and from garda cameras may lead detectives to the killer of Mr Clancy.

A full-scale murder investigation is continuing.

A pilot Joint Policing Committee, in Tralee, including representatives of gardaí and the town council, Dáil deputies, voluntary and business groups, held its first meeting last week.

The meeting heard of increases in drink driving detections, assaults causing harm and drug offences in the first six months of this year.

Six extra gardaí have been assigned to Tralee this year, but senior gardaí said they could always make use of additional resources.

Meanwhile, examination of CCTV film may throw up vital information about the last movements of Eddie Joe Clancy, who was found lying in a pool of blood, with serious head injuries, last Tuesday.

Lots of people were in Bridge St/Abbey car park area at the time, according to Supt Pat Sullivan, who is heading the investigation.

Some of the those people have been identified and interviewed by gardaí.

But, Supt Sullivan also appealed to other people who were in the area between 1.30am and 2am, on Tuesday, to come forward.