Leitrim County Council accused of spying on locals using drones in bizarre meeting
Independent councillor Des Guckian accused the Council of 'terrorising locals' through use of drones operated by a geospatial company to conduct a survey of the Lough Rynn area.
Leitrim County Council has faced allegations of ‘spying’ on locals from Cllr Des Guckian following its engagement of a geospatial consultancy to utilise drones for a hydrological survey.
Cllr Guckian proposed a motion asking members to condemn the taking of drone footage, arguing that locals weren’t given ‘proper advance warning,’ and describing it as ‘a part of an agenda to terrorise locals.’
Cllr Guckain also claimed the Council acted ‘illegally’ by capturing drone footage around cattle yards at Lough Rynn and at Cashel townland in Bornacoola.
He further stated that residents in the Cashel area reported seeing a man flying a drone into their yards and ‘invading their privacy.’
Cllr Guckian said he wrote to Council officials who informed him that the drones were being used for a Hydrological survey.
Cllr Guckian said he didn’t believe this, and neither do the people who reported the drone in their area.
“It is the belief of those who contacted me that this drone footage could be used to blackmail owners who might object to the Council’s interference in their area,” he concluded.
The Economic Development from Leitrim County Council were firm in their reply, stating, “Leitrim County Council has been open and transparent on its desire to maximise the use of the world-class Lough Rynn Rowing facility thereby generating an economic benefit for the Region.
“Leitrim County Council has already provided information on the Hydrological Survey under a Freedom of Information request submitted by the elected member.”
The geospatial consultancy, Murphy Geospatial, is licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority. Their task was to conduct a topographical survey of the Lough Rynn catchment area using drone technology to create a digital ground model.
The reply also explained that the project has been the subject of discussions with local landowners and the Irish Farmers Association, and a further meeting will be arranged to discuss the potential of bringing the project forward.