CCTV cameras have been installed outside a graveyard on the outskirts of Cork City to deter thieves targeting mourners’ cars.
The city council spent between €8,000 and €10,000 on the four-camera system at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully — the main graveyard for the northside of the city.
It was the first time the council was forced to install a security camera system at one of its four cemeteries.
"Smash and grab" thieves have been consistently targeting cars parked outside the cemetery as people visit the graves of their loved ones.
A recent Garda analysis of vehicle crime in Cork City found Kilcully cemetery was among the city’s worst spots for such thefts alongside Harty’s Quay, the Marina, and amenity walks in Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Blackrock and Blarney.
Several crime victims complained to public representatives about the problem and northside Cllr Tony Fitzgerald (FF) pressed city officials to act.
Signs were erected on the cemetery’s entrance pillars earlier this year, advising people not to leave valuables in their vehicles, before funding was secured for the CCTV system.
The cameras, activated last week, have been trained on the car park and the footage is monitored daily.
A council spokesperson said the system already had a positive effect with a marked decrease in the level of illegal dumping in the car park.
"There have been a number of thefts from cars parked at this location over the years," said Mr Fitzgerald.
"I met several people who were distraught after coming out of the cemetery to find that their cars had been broken into.
"It’s a pity that we have to spend money on something like this but people need to be able to visit the graves of their loved ones in safe and comfortable environment."
He urged people visiting the graveyard to be vigilant, to lock their cars, and not to leave valuables in the car.
It was the first time the council was forced to install a security camera system at one of its four cemeteries.
"Smash and grab" thieves have been consistently targeting cars parked outside the cemetery as people visit the graves of their loved ones.
A recent Garda analysis of vehicle crime in Cork City found Kilcully cemetery was among the city’s worst spots for such thefts alongside Harty’s Quay, the Marina, and amenity walks in Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Blackrock and Blarney.
Several crime victims complained to public representatives about the problem and northside Cllr Tony Fitzgerald (FF) pressed city officials to act.
Signs were erected on the cemetery’s entrance pillars earlier this year, advising people not to leave valuables in their vehicles, before funding was secured for the CCTV system.
The cameras, activated last week, have been trained on the car park and the footage is monitored daily.
A council spokesperson said the system already had a positive effect with a marked decrease in the level of illegal dumping in the car park.
"There have been a number of thefts from cars parked at this location over the years," said Mr Fitzgerald.
"I met several people who were distraught after coming out of the cemetery to find that their cars had been broken into.
"It’s a pity that we have to spend money on something like this but people need to be able to visit the graves of their loved ones in safe and comfortable environment."
He urged people visiting the graveyard to be vigilant, to lock their cars, and not to leave valuables in the car.