Calls for CCTV at tourist beauty spots after surge in car thefts

Aontú representative for the Laytown Bettystown area, Peter Whelan is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed at all of the tourist spots in Meath as it has emerged that there has been a surge in car thefts at popular sites in recent weeks.

According to a social media post from Meath Crime Prevention there have been 29 car thefts at tourist locations in the county since June 1st.

“I have been calling for CCTV cameras on the Hill of Slane, Knowth, Dowth, Monastarboice and Newgrange etc,” commented Whelan.

" I have asked my colleague councillor Emer Toibin to ask for these cameras at the July meeting of the Meath County Council.

“Failte Ireland spend millions promoting the Boyne Valley region on national and international television each year. All I’m asking is to protect these vulnerable tourists from such terrible crimes. I remember a couple of years ago there was a young couple on honeymoon from the United States, and they visited the hill of Slane. Their car was broken into and all their belongings were taken.

“Among the items taken were their passports. They had video footage of their wedding on a video camera which was also stolen. I await the response from the council. I won’t let this issue go off the agenda.

“As a local businessman, I understand the importance of tourism in this region. The Boyne valley has so much to offer tourists, and we have been trying to keep tourists in this region for longer periods. This would support our local economy and small industries.

“To me it’s a no brainier. For a small investment we could solve this problem.”