CLOSED CIRCUIT television cameras allowing the Garda to monitor O'Connell Street and the surrounding streets in Dublin are to be formally introduced later this week.
The extension of the scheme, which already covers the Temple Bar area of the city, is to be launched by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen.
Initially, nine cameras will be in operation, but in the following weeks a further 26 will be added, at a total cost of £700,000, the Minister said yesterday. The screens for the cameras will be monitored by gardai.
Mrs Owen was speaking at a ceremony to mark completion of a £2 million refurbishment of Pearse Street Garda station.
The Minister said that within the next three weeks her department would be launching a crime strategy document which would be the equivalent of a White Paper on crime. She said it would examine the causes of crime "and will be the first ever such document published". She said the department planned a series of meetings throughout the State so that members of the public, business leaders, teachers and other interested groups could discuss the document.