Significant progress will be made on the introduction of CCTV in the town centre “over the course of 2022”.

The much-mooted CCTV plan has grown in urgency following a recent survey.

Respondents to the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce commissioned survey (63.7%) said CCTV and the maintaining the town’s Purple Flag status for a safe night time economy (48.5%) were high on their list of priorities for the town.

A further 52.0% of businesses expressed concerns about there being a very high risk of anti-social behaviour on the streets and car parks with 31.4% saying there was a high risk to the town’s reputation as a safe place to visit and socialise.

It is anticipated, but not confirmed, that the CCTV control room would be situated in Killarney Garda Station.

Cllr Niall Kelleher has been pushing for the introduction of CCTV in Killarney since the last election in May 2019.

“We’ve seen in surveys published that there’s a very high risk to the reputation of Killarney in relation to anti-social behaviour and loitering…this system, because it can be in the Garda station and they can have real-time live access, will be a fantastic resource to deal with issues as they arise in our town,” he told a recent meeting of Killarney Municipal District.

However, he expressed concerns on the timelines and the lack of a launch date for the CCTV system.

Kerry County Council is in the course of preparing a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).

“Once the DPIA is completed it will be necessary to consult with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) in relation to the proposals for CCTV as set out in the DPIA and in relation to the range of measures to ensure that the rights and freedoms of individuals are safeguarded in accordance with the legislative requirements taking account of guidance from the DPC and recent actions by the DPC in this area,” a Council official told the meeting.

“Following this consultation with the DPC it will be necessary to update the Garda Commissioner’s authorisation for the project prior to the commencement of the infrastructural works associated with the project and a formal application to the Garda Commissioner will be required in respect of same.”