Concerns GDPR issues hindering installation of CCTV in Cork communities 

Councillors say communities are demanding greater CCTV coverage following a series of anti-social incidents, but concerns remain data protection issues are slowing progress

Councillors highlighted growing demands for CCTV to address antisocial activity in their local areas, although one member warned of the dangers of 'mass surveillance'. File picture

Cork City Council is to seek a meeting with the Data Protection Commissioner amid concerns GDPR issues are hindering the installation of CCTV cameras in communities affected by antisocial behaviour.

Councillors highlighted growing demands for CCTV to address antisocial activity in their local areas, although one member warned of the dangers of "mass surveillance".

Labour councillor Peter Horgan raised the issue following a number of incidents in Cork's southside suburbs, including a children’s swing and bins being set alight in separate incidents in Loughmahon Park. 

He also referenced the theft of a cat by youths. The animal was later found so severely injured it had to be put to sleep.

In August, teenage brothers Shane and Logan McCarthy were the victims of an unprovoked attack in Mahon. Their mother said at the time CCTV footage could have helped identify those responsible, after one of her sons suffered severe facial injuries and a concussion.

The Irish Examiner subsequently sought details from Cork City Council on the number of CCTV cameras currently in operation across the city, how that compared with the previous year, and whether any additional cameras were planned, amid claims some cameras had been removed.

Almost two months later, the information has yet to be provided. A Freedom of Information request seeking the same details was refused this week, with the council's FOI office stating the record requested did not exist.

The Data Protection Commission said: “Local authorities can use CCTV systems as part of their efforts to deal with both anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping.” 

However, they must provide a specific purpose for CCTV installation, carry out a data protection impact assessment, get formal approval from the Garda commissioner, put in place safeguards to protect the confidentiality of personal data recorded, and monitor the camera’s effectiveness on an ongoing basis.

Mr Horgan’s motion that the council “write to the Data Protection Commissioner to seek a meeting on why GDPR obstacles are constantly being placed in the way of rolling out CCTV schemes”, was heard at a meeting on Monday night.

He said people were “going around on scramblers, in balaclavas looking for defenceless animals” to attack, and expressed a concern they will turn to humans next if not stopped.

All councillors except Brian McCarthy of Solidarity-People Before Profit and Jerrica Struthers of the Workers Party voted in favour.

Mr McCarthy said reducing the oversight needed for CCTV to be installed in public spaces would erode public protections without reducing crime, adding one study “showed that, at best, street crime shifted a few metres away from the cameras”.

A 2019 international study using 40 years of data, which has been referenced by gardaí, showed there was no evidence of CCTV having an effect on violent crime, he said.

“Mass surveillance of people is a threat to civil liberties and raises immediate concerns for the inevitable erosion of the right to privacy that would cause,” said Mr McCarthy.