The proposed 16-camera CCTV system for Westport is estimated to cost €600k, members of the joint policing committee were informed on Monday.
Superintendent of the town Mick Murray said that following the submission of the CCTV application, garda telecommunications estimate that it will cost €35,000 per camera, “which is money not in the kitty”, therefore “we will have to revisit the whole situation”.
Councillor Myles Staunton said that the application should not be abandoned but some sort of scheme, even if it is streamlined, should be brought in.
Cllr Staunton also asked that the JPC write to the Department of Justice in order to find out when the likelihood of a decision would be made and to ask whether a reduction in the number of cameras would lead to the application being successful.
Cllr Christy Hyland said that Westport is one of the busiest towns in the country on a Saturday night and that CCTV is a necessity.
The superintendent suggested that a sub-committee be established and it was agreed that this would be done.
