NAAS, 19 June 2001: by Trish Whelan. A deputation from Naas UDC has met with Justice Minister John O'Donoghue to voice concern over a number of local issues including the need for new laws on trespass to deal with traveller convoys, CCTV cameras and the need for more Gardai on the street.
The deputation of Cllrs Pat O'Reilly (right), Seamie Moore and Anthony Egan met the Minister in the Dail on Tuesday last week.
They stressed the need for a law to give the gardai power to deal with trespass by traveller convoys on private and public property, such as exists in Wales.
Cllr Anthony Egan said the Minister had listened with interest to what they were saying, particularly to how public money was being wasted in having to go to court to get large groups of travelling merchants to move on.
Other issues included the introduction of CCTV camers to Naas streets. Trials have already proved a success and it was agreed at UDC level to proceed with introducing security cameras in the town in conjunction with the business community and Naas gardai.
The Minister said he would shortly be announcing the second tranche of funding for CCTV schemes and Naas will be on this list. However there will have to be a major contribution from the business community in the town.
Concern was also expressed about the ratio of gardai in terms of the population of Naas, which stands at 1 for every 700 people. The town has a current population of 20,000.
©2001trishwhelan/knn