Push for higher grants for community CCTV in Leitrim

There have been calls to increase the grant assistance of community led CCTV schemes in the Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill areas.

At September’s Carrick-on-Shannon M.D. meeting, Cllr Sean McGowan sought the support of members in again calling on Minister Helen McEntee and the Department of Justice to increase the grant assistance for community led CCTV schemes to 90 percent of the cost of the scheme or to a maximum of €100,000. 

Cllr McGowan also hopes the inflation increase and construction costs will be taken into account. 

“At present the maximum grant available to communities is 60 percent up to a maximum of €40,000."

Enda Stenson seconded the motion.

“I want to fully support this. This has been raised here before and a maximum grant of €40,000 is no use. It won’t do anything.

Leitrim Animal Welfare launches urgent fundraiser for support ahead of winter months

The animal rescue centre said that the price of equipment and supplies are raising "across the board" and urged Leitrim locals to help.

“We’ve got to try and get that raised, that letter should go to the Minister sooner rather than later. Everyone would support this, it’s something that’s needed,” Cllr Stenson said.

Cllr Cormac Flynn asked if the Council could provide workshops to community groups to encourage more people to join the CCTV scheme.

“It is a good scheme and people just aren’t fully sure where to start. We don’t want to be detecting crime, we want to be deterring it and one of the best deterrents are the CCTV being in operation,” Cllr Flynn commented. 

Kieran Brett, Administrative Officer, advised councillors to promote Leitrim Alerts in their area. It is largely used by the Gardaí and acts as a neighbourhood watch system. It is free of charge to register and download. 

Leitrim residents can sign up at  https://www.leitrimalerts.ie/

READ NEXT - Leitrim estate agents push for urgent property law reform at Leinster House