Letterkenny residents question the legality of cameras installed

Residents of College Farm Road, College Road, and Wolfe Tone Place in Letterkenny have voiced strong concerns following the recent installation of CCTV cameras on a directional pole at the junction of New Line Road and College Road.

Local resident Christy Galligan, speaking on behalf of the community, has called for clarity on the legality, purpose, and data protection implications of the cameras.

In a formal statement, residents questioned what permissions were sought to install the cameras, who is the designated Data Controller under data protection legislation, what is the legal basis for their use, and what purpose they are serving. Concerns were also raised about how secure the storage of any images may be, how long the footage will be retained, whether a Data Protection Impact Assessment has been carried out, and why there is no public notification to inform residents or road users that they are being recorded.

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The residents highlight that under data protection rules, anyone recorded by a CCTV system must be informed about the identity and contact details of the data controller, the purpose and legal basis for processing, the retention period, and the security of their personal data. Mr Galligan noted that none of this information has been provided to the local community, and residents are now requesting an investigation into the matter.

It is understood that a Mullingar-based company, IDASO, may have been involved in the installation, allegedly on behalf of an architect contracted by a developer. However, residents say no official explanation has been given.

The community is calling on the relevant authorities, including Donegal County Council and the Data Protection Commission, to urgently clarify who is responsible for the cameras and to confirm whether proper procedures and legal requirements have been followed.