A meeting of Sligo County Council was told this morning that the erection of upgraded CCTV cameras on certain access roads in the county would be 'a game changer' when it comes to tackling crime, such as the horrific in January on Tom Niland.
A number of motions arising from recent attacks and burglaries on the agenda for today's council meeting are being discussed at present.
The motions before today's council meeting, came in the aftermath of the horrific attack on January 18th last on 73-year old Tom Niland in his home along the N59 at Skreen.
He remains on life support in Sligo University Hospital.
Today's motions before Sligo councillors included one from 13 councillors calling for a €100,000 pilot scheme to upgrade CCTV cameras at locations along certain routes
Independent Councillor Michael Clarke thanked all those councillors who put their names to the motion.
However, councillors were also told of data protection and GDPR issues that had to be considered when installing CCTV; this covered each individual camera and not an entire camera system.
Councillors also heard that Garda approval was not sufficient to allow installation of CCTV.
In addition, Sinn Fein Councillor Thomas Healy proposed that the council call for a zero-tolerance approach for those who commit burglaries on the homes of vulnerable people and families.
His motion also called for stronger sentencing guidelines and greater support for victims of such crimes.
Cllr Healy says punishment must match the crime and victims need to be helped.
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Meanwhile, Fine Gael Councillor Thomas Walsh proposed that the council again call on An Garda Siochana to have a permanent Armed Support Unit in Sligo.
Cllr Walsh asked that reasons be given if the answer was that an Armed Support Unit would NOT be considered for Sligo.
He insisted there is a need for rapid access to a Sligo-based armed garda unit.
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