Small towns and villages in the Shannonside region are being priced out of CCTV networks according to a Leitrim councillor.
Under current regulations, communities can receive 60 per cent of the cost of the installation of a CCTV system up to €40,000 from the Department of Justice, with local groups and organisations responsible for the rest.
This is leaving many rural communities unable to foot the bill according to local Councillor Sean McGowan.
Speaking at this month's meeting of the Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, the new elected M.D Cathaoirleach called on the Department to increase the funding to 90 per cent of the cost of a network up to a cost of €100,000.
The motion received unanimous support from his fellow councillors at yesterday's Municipal District Meeting.
Councillor McGowan says the benefit of CCTV systems in smaller towns and villages would greatly aid Gardaí in the investigation of rural crime.
