Light shone on Con Smith Park debate

The prospect of illuminating the open spaces of Con Smith Park at night was explored at the recent Belturbet Cavan Municipal Authority meeting in the Courthouse in Cavan, when Cllr Eugene Greenan (SF) placed a motion on the agenda.

He told the meeting that people had pointed out to him recently that, while there are lights all around the park, there are none shining light into the park.
“They asked me if I would raise the issue at this meeting. Upon reflection, I wondered if it would be a good or bad thing. I think overall it would be a good thing. While we do not want people congregating in the park at three o’clock in the morning, the problem is that there are people there at that time of the morning and they can’t be seen. The gardaí can’t see them either when they are driving past,” he remarked.
“We are now approaching a time when the evenings will be pitch dark from 4.30pm. There will be people walking out there at 10pm or 10.30pm at night and it might give them some security as well,” continued Cllr Greenan.
Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) asked if it would be possible to extend CCTV cameras to that area as well.
Fine Gael’s Madeleine Argue was also in favour of lighting the park and also asked about the possibility of having public toilet facilities installed.
The chairman Damian Brady (SF) supported the motion in regard to the lights.
The Municipal Authority manager Derry Scanlon in reply said: “I have been talking to Waterways Ireland and they do not light any of their public areas – there is a great problem with congregation at night, when they have their areas lit up – that is their policy.”
Mr Scanlon suggested that up to 20 lights would be required for the area concerned and there is no infrastructure there for them such as ducting.
“You probably would have to spend around €35,000 to put lights in there,” he estimated.
“It is something we would have to make a decision on, when we are preparing the budget for next year,” added Mr Scanlon, who agreed to seek further advice from other local authorities.
Cllr Greenan added: “If it was a runner, I would be very conscious of the residents around the park. There would definitely need to be consultation with those residents.”
Cllr Peter McVitty said consideration could be given to using lights with sensors, so that if there is activity in the park, the lights will be activated. “If there are CCTV cameras at that location as well, those congregating will say to themselves – 'I’m being watched here’ and get out of there,” he suggested.