A series of attacks on cyclists along the Grand Canal Greenway in Dublin has resulted in a new pledge to repair CCTV cameras along the route.
When the 8.5km greenway opened in 2010 it had been fitted
with over 60 CCTV cameras to monitor it.
However, the camera system was subjected to repeated
vandalism and though efforts were made to repair the damage, some of the
cameras were destroyed repeatedly.
Over the years many of them have fallen into such a damaged state they are no longer working.
However, The Irish Times has reported that South Dublin
County Council now plans to carry out repairs.
This is despite the area remaining an anti social behaviour
black spot, which appears to be worsening considering the attacks on cyclists
of late.
The council confirmed to The Irish Times that the CCTV cameras and lights along the canal greenway that had been damaged would now be repaired, though the location remained very challenging.
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“In conjunction with the gardaí, South Dublin County
Council will make every effort to maintain the CCTV and lighting in operable
condition to ensure that the greenway remains a safe route to serve the public,”
it told the newspaper.
The move comes as good news for cyclists using the route
in that it represents clear confirmation the authorities are responding to the
recent coverage of attacks on cyclists.
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As well as the planned repair works on the cameras and lights, gardai have also stepped up patrols along the Grand Canal Greenway.
Cyclist Yaman Umuroğlu two weeks ago highlighted the fact
he
had been attacked by young teenagers on the Grand Canal near Bluebell.
He said his attackers may have been as young as 13-14
years, adding they had beaten him with iron bars and stolen his bike.
Other cyclists then highlighted other similar incidents with some saying their bikes had also been stolen in canal muggings.
In some cases the attackers had lit a line of fire across
the path of the Grand Canal Greenway to slow the cyclists so they could be
attacked.
Others told of being threatened and robbed by teenagers
armed with knives, expressing their disappointment more had not been done to
make the area safer for cycling.
In October stickybottle reported on an incident during
which a cyclist had a firework directed at him on the greenway.
He was intimidated as be passed a group, one of whom
lunged at him.
That incident was captured by the cyclist on video, which
can be
viewed by following this link.
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