Delay in sanctioning CCTV system in this Tipperary town described as 'a joke'

A meeting has been sought with Justice Minister Helen McEntee to discuss the delay in sanctioning a CCTV system for Clonmel.

The meeting was requested at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District by Cllr Siobhán Ambrose, who said that the delay was “laughable, a joke at this stage”.

They were going around in circles and weren’t getting anywhere with this.

There was no excuse for the hold-up at this stage and the council had everything done from its side.

She said they had been told many times that they were “nearly there”.

District Mayor Richie Molloy said people were exasperated because of the delay, which was down to the Department of Justice.

He supported the idea of seeking a meeting with the Justice Minister.

Cllr Pat English said they were waiting for a CCTV system for years and it was very frustrating.

A lot of time, energy and funding had gone into the project and the council had done everything from its side.

District Administrator Carol Creighton said she had hoped the scheme would be granted within a few weeks.

She had spoken to Garda Inspector Declan Boland about this and she was very positive after that discussion.

“I do believe we are near the end of the procedure with the (Garda) Commissioner,” she said, although she added that she wouldn’t get too excited until she actually saw it in writing.

A scheme for Littleton had been sanctioned a few weeks ago.

District Manager Sinead Carr said it wouldn’t do any harm to write to the Minister for Justice.