Calls for CCTV on Athlone's greenway
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Calls have been made for the installation of CCTV on the greenway in Athlone's urban area.
Cllr John Dolan raised the motion at the April meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District, asking that the Gardaí take responsibility for the monitoring of it.
"It's like this, normal people don't care if CCTV is looking at them, if you're not doing anything wrong, you don't care," Cllr Dolan said.
"I think it's very important to have some CCTV, I'm not saying it has to be the length of the greenway, I'm a reasonable man."
Cllr Aengus O'Rourke voiced his support for the motion noting that the greenway "needs some law and order".
He added that the CCTV in the wider Athlone area was "practically defunct" and needed upgrading.
"We never see the Gardaí on the greenway, they need to have more of a presence," said Cllr Frankie Keena, emphasising the need for further law enforcement.
"There are a certain group of e-scooter users who are up to no good, and if they get on the greenway, they're gone."
He said the greenway was a massively important amenity to Athlone.
"We need to ensure that people feel comfortable and safe using it."
Clarifying on a written response given by the council, District Manager Jackie Finney said CCTV in the public realm is not something Westmeath County Council provides.
"Full coverage of the urban greenway is not something the council would be looking to put in. We have Athlone, Moate, and Mullingar - where would it start and where would it end?
"The greenway is not a suitable place for CCTV,” she insisted.
Members suggested bringing in An Garda Síochána to discuss the matter.
"Can there not be a bit of joint thinking on this?" said Cllr Dolan.
Meanwhile, Cllr O'Rourke highlighted that in the two years since the council's last meeting with An Garda Síochána, nothing had improved in terms of CCTV.
Members agreed to an in-committee (behind closed doors) meeting with An Garda Síochána to explore the options available for surveillance on the greenway.