Call for CCTV cameras outside pubs and clubs

ENTERTAINMENT venues like bars and clubs must be compelled to mount CCTV equipment outside their premises for use in court cases, gardaí demanded yesterday.

The compulsory fitting of security cameras would help prosecutions where disturbances and fights occur, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors heard.

They also want new regulations to ensure pub licences are only awarded once pubs and late-night venues have CCTV in place.

Middle-ranking gardaí voted yesterday for Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to introduce laws that require businesses and public entertainment venues to mount the cameras, for evidential purposes in court cases.

Gardaí also backed calls for medical forensic teams to support policing. Special teams of doctors could help investigate road traffic incidents as well as monitor sick suspects in custody.

The association wants a team of forensic medical examiners to operate a 24-hour service that would be year-round.

The Irish Medical Organisation has already submitted a detailed proposal on the specialist Garda support to Mr Lenihan, which includes costing and the numbers of medical staff needed for such a unit. The proposal will be raised at the organisation’s annual conference next week. Elsewhere, criticism was levelled at health services by Garda representatives over the lack of out-of-hours service and support for children.

Gardaí say reaching emergency services to look after the welfare of youngsters after 5pm or on weekends is near impossible. Health service phones are left unanswered and often gardaí are forced to mind children in stations. The situation means troubled teenagers or ones whose parents may have been arrested are then left with gardaí.

Gardaí want Mr Lenihan to set up, with other departments, a unique and dedicated out-of-hours service which would care for young people. The service would be established with the HSE, according to the AGSI plan.

Concerns were raised this week by members at the conference that often gardaí are forced to place children in hospitals as a “place of safety”, but frequently they are told places for youngsters are unavailable.

Sometimes, gardaí looking after the children have taken them out of poor domestic circumstances.

“This is a HSE problem really and yet the gardaí are left holding the baby or the child. We’re looking for them to assist us in doing our job,” said Sgt Peter Butler, from Tipperary.