Crime Journalist Paul Williams will chair the AGM of the Woodenbridge Community Alert this evening.
The Woodenbridge Community Alert are currently planning to install CCTV at five locations in the area for which funds have been raised.
Spokesperson Michael G Phelan says that for this project, all relative paperwork has been completed.
He said: “Planning permission has been granted along with Joint Policing Committee support. However the issue of Data Controller remains unresolved.
“The Minister Charlie Flanagan has consistently said when asked that a law dating back to 2006 states that the Local authority must become the Data Controller for all CCTV systems.
“However Laois County Manager disputes this saying the Local Authority has not the resorces or personnel to download and store data. In order CCTV data to be admissible in a court case a CCTV system must be licensed by the Garda Commissioner but with the refusal of the local authority to become the data controller this is not possible under current law.
“Funding was made available by the department of justice to support Community groups to install CCTV (60/40) in the Years 2017, 2018 and 2019 but unfortunately the same problem arises as you need a letter from the local authority stating they will become the data controller to accompany your application for funding.
“For our AGM Public Representatives, Laois Co. Co Personnel along with An Garda Siochana have been invited to attend in the hope that a clearer picture can be obtained as to the future of the project.
“Community groups with similar problems will also be invited Mountmellick, Donaghmore, Clonaslee , Castletown, Mountrath, Errill. also Tow – Mile – Borris Co. Tipperary.”
Annual General Meeting of the Woodenbridge District Community Alert takes place tonight at 8.30pm in Newtown Mill.
