Almost a decade after it was first announced, Athlone’s CCTV system looks set to be in place by the end of the year.
The majority of the infrastructure is now in place, with on-street works having been carried out in recent weeks. Locals may have noticed large poles being erected in locations throughout the town, including outside Dunnes Stores at the top of John Broderick Street, on Church Street, and at the town marina.
According to Cllr Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who this week welcomed the progress, all that remains to be agreed is a location for the monitoring equipment for the system.
He said that although locals were “going on 10 years waiting” for CCTV to be installed in Athlone, it was great to see the infrastructure finally in place.
“Every politician has been criticising Fianna Fail for the delays, but in fairness, in the economic downturn they have managed to secure the money and the infrastructure is there.
“There is some difficulty regarding the location of the machinery, but it is hoped the issue will be resolved and the system will be up and running by the end of the year,” said Cllr Moran.
According to the councillor, once up and running, the system will help to boost tourism, as well as make the town a safer place to live.
“We will see the advantage with people coming into the town to various events.
It will protect people and help to boost tourism by giving people confidence. It is a huge boost for Athlone,” he said.
The CCTV saga began back in 2000 when the Department of Justice named Athlone as one of 10 priority locations for the new systems. Although cameras were installed in six of the listed towns, no progress was made in Athlone. Despite further promises that it would be installed in 2003 and again in 2004, the town has remained without the system.
Over two years ago, during a visit to Athlone in December 2006, then Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced that a new tendering process for the cameras should yield results in 2007. However, it was not until early 2008 that contracts to install the system were awarded.
Criticisms of the delay in bringing the system to fruition were particularly levelled in the wake of a number of assaults on women in the Bonavalley area of the town in late 2007 and during 2008. It was felt that the presence of CCTV cameras could have helped prevent the attacks or assisted in the identification of the perpetrator.
