The Mayor of Galway has urged the City Council to speed up the installation of CCTV at public sports facilities after what he called “a growing pattern of needless vandalism” across the city.
Independent councillor Mike Cubbard said damage to the community changing facility in Bohermore this month was only the latest incident.
He said pitches and facilities were now being targeted almost every week. “This is not a once-off. The pitch at Bohermore, home to Galway Hibernians, has also been torn up by a scrambler bike.”
“We have similar damage in Miller’s Lane, Corrib Park, Renmore and South Park. It is happening right across the city.”
Mayor Cubbard said the repeated vandalism was wearing down volunteers and affecting children and families who rely on the facilities.
“It is very frustrating for councillors, but it is even more frustrating for the volunteers who keep these clubs going and for the kids and parents who use these pitches every day.”
Mr Cubbard criticised what he sees as an overuse of data protection concerns to block measures such as CCTV.
“I am getting fed up of hearing reasons why we cannot do things,” he said. “We are told CCTV cannot be installed because of GDPR, because of protections for the person causing the damage. That nonsense must stop.”
He said the current approach meant communities were being penalised while those responsible faced few consequences. “We get stuck in red tape, and the people who suffer are the ones trying to do the right thing.”
Mayor Cubbard said he has asked the City Council’s chief executive and director of services to accelerate the rollout of CCTV.
“Any compliance issues could be managed through clear rules on data storage, access and retention. If protections are needed, put them in place. But stop using GDPR as an excuse not to protect public amenities.”
He said the Council had invested heavily in sports and recreational facilities and had a duty to ensure they were protected.
He pointed to recent damage at tennis courts in Crestwood, which left what he called a fantastic facility out of use.
“It is time for the local authority to step up, introduce CCTV where it is needed and protect the amenities communities use every day.”-
