This article is from page 10 of the 2013-05-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
UNMANNED flying drones could be used by gardaí to combat mobile crime gangs, an Ennis councillor has suggested.
Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn said the small, unmanned aircraft could form part of a Pilot Policing Technology (PPT) scheme to assist gardaí.
Cllr Flynn is calling on the Minister for Justice to start an initial phase of the scheme which he says would “assist the war on crime by putting in place immediately a scheme to fund mobile CCTV and other tech- nologies for Ennis Gardaí to combat anti-social behaviour and in housing estates”.
Details of the scheme are contained in a motion submitted by Cllr Flynn to today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.
Cllr Flynn explained, “This funding mechanism scheme could be modelled along the lines of a similar one that is currently in place under the responsibility of the Minister of Environment.”
Cllr Flynn states that the scheme was used by the council to fund the purchase of mobile CCTV equipment to deal more effectively with fly tipping and other forms of illegal dumping.
He says that mobile CCTV systems should be positioned by the gardaí, for periods as long as is necessary, on streets and estates in Ennis affected by anti-social behaviour.
He adds, “This scheme should also consider the use of unmanned flying drones as a resource for Gardaí in its battle with mobile criminals and other anti-social elements in society.”
Drone aircraft have been used most recently by the United States army for surveillance and armed missions in parts of the Middle East and Africa. The motion is due to be discussed at today’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Meanwhile, the quality of life in Ennis’ estates is also due to be discussed at the meeting.
Fianna Fáil councillor Brian Meaney is urging the council to consider developing a Neighbour Investment Plan for some estates in Ennis.
In a motion, Cllr Meaney said the plan could aid estates “improve their performance across a range of quality of life indicators, which in come cases are below regional and national averages”.
Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) is calling on the council to “apply to become one of the pilot towns in Retail Excellence Ireland’s National Town and City Project.”