Privacy concerns in Ballykinlar over MoD CCTV cameras

Privacy concerns in Ballykinlar over MoD CCTV cameras

28 June 2023

THE Ministry of Defence has been accused of “jeopardising the rights” of Ballykinlar residents after installing CCTV cameras along a perimeter fence at the village’s former army base.

The claim has been made by South Down MLA Colin McGrath, who has raised residents’ concerns with senior military officials.

He was contacted by several residents when the security cameras were installed, with the MoD insisting that they cannot pick up any data from homes or gardens and that the cameras will not be removed.

“Many of these cameras are in fixed positions and others have the capacity to rotate,” Mr McGrath explained. “There is a genuine concern over a possible invasion of privacy here.

“I wrote to the Ministry of Defence to outline my concerns and those of residents and it was not only disappointing that it took a Minister a month to respond, but that the response has done nothing to allay people’s very real concerns.”

Mr McGrath said it is a “disgrace” that residents were not consulted on the security camera plans, confirming that he has been told the fixed devices cannot be moved and must remain in place.

He said despite the MoD insistence that the rotating cameras have a privacy block on them, he finds their presence so close to a number of homes in the village concerning. 

“This does not give residents the assurance that video footage from their homes could not potentially be picked up. I have visited the village myself to see just what level of cameras are present, further fuelling my concern.”

Mr McGrath said he has written to the MoD a second time requesting that an impact and equality assessment on the installation of the cameras is completed.

He said this must happen to ensure residents’ rights are not being denied or abused. 

“We need to know what type of cameras are being installed and just how this privacy block will operate,” Mr McGrath continued.

“Given the MoD has been reluctant to respond to this matter, it is essential that residents have a strong voice speaking truth to power for them.”