CCTV systems

castie

Just wondering.

If I set up a CCTV system in my house pointed at my front garden.
The camera catching somebody in commission of a crime.

Is this video permitted as evidence if I do not have signs up stating CCTV is in operation? I remember something with regards nightclubs and CCTV and patrons needing to be informed (could be wrong) so wondering how it would apply on a more domestic case.

dermot_sheehan

The data protection act has an exemption for data collected in a domestic setting, this does not apply to commercial establishments such as nightclubs. A photo of someone's face would constitute personal data.

Even if data was collected in violation of the data protection act, a court would have a discretion to exclude it as unlawfully obtained, but the exclusion would not be automatic as in the case of evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights such as search of a dwelling without a search warrant.

Of course someone would have to appear in court to formally prove the video recording, it's not self proving, someone would have to swear on oath that a CCTV was setup pointing at a certain area, that the CCTV recorded the information as displayed on the screen and that the recording has not been modified.

charlemont

A neighbour of mine has installed a CCTV system which I think is extremely intrusive, It is clearly is over the boundary of her garden, Its basically two orb cameras on a large pole and I'm wondering whether to inquire at the planning office in Cork about it. She could have easily got the camera installed on the walls of her house or had the pole installed further away from the wall. It really looks horrible and gives me a creepy feeling of been watched when I pass by.

mcgarrett

The intoxicating liquor act 2003 requires cctv in nightclubs before special exemptions will be granted. This is regularly used to identify and prosecute offenders.

In relation to CCTV and crime, case law has made it obligatory on the Gardai to gather CCTV.