CCTV Footage Key To Solving Cork Stabbing Case: Gardai Continue Search For Grand Parade Cafe Incident
The CCTV footage key to solving Cork stabbing case is still missing as a major piece of evidence. Aaron Bohane was charged for two offences made on 6 September, Grand Parade Cafe incident in Cork City centre.
Last Sunday, Aaron Bohane appeared before the Cork District court through a video link. His defence solicitor, Shane Collins Daly stated that his client is not seeking bail at the moment.
(Also read: Man, 24, Faces Charges After Stabbing Outside Cork City Centre Café)
No direct evidence, such as CCTV footage or a witness was presented at the court that would have proven the stabbing with a bladed weapon last Friday at the Cork city centre.
Why is CCTV footage key to solving Cork stabbing case still missing and not needed as a solid piece of evidence?
When the 24-year-old Bohane was charged with giving serious injuries to Gavin Shaheen, 38, the perpetrator did not comment after he was told that he was charged with two offences. It appears that he knew what he had done and had nothing to say for himself.
The CCTV footage key to solving Cork stabbing case does not seem to be playing a prominent role here as he himself opted out of the bail option. The defence solicitor said, “At the moment he (Bohane) understands that he needs to put the State on notice”.
How Cork stabbing CCTV footage can help in reducing street crimes?
According to the data released by the Central Statistics Office in Ireland, the crime incidents involving weapons and explosives escalated by 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to those of the 2023 Q1. It could be compared with the same offence that Bohane was charged with, Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. It is inferred that the street crime scene has worsened in Ireland.
Keeping these observations in mind, Cork City Council and Gardai are seeking approvals from the government to use CCTV in public areas from September 2023. They were of the view that CCTV installation in public areas would ensure greater public safety and would lessen stabbing attacks like that in Cork City centre.
The crime prevention officer for Cork City Garda division stated at a joint policing committee (JPC) meeting, “The Garda Commissioner may authorise the installation and operation of CCTV for the sole or primary purpose of securing public order and safety in public places by facilitating the deterrence, prevention, detection and prosecution of offences”.
Suspects could be immediately detected with closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the street crime scene. The placement of cameras in public areas requires a great sense of astuteness to decrease the crime rate in public areas significantly.
Except for drugs and weapons possession or frauds, several crimes have been observed, quick responses to emergencies were made and assisted management in places for reducing public fear and maximising their safety.
A research study suggested that having CCTV in public areas is mandatory for preventing street crimes and offers a useful investigative tool. With the presence of CCTV cameras in public areas, public surveillance would mitigate risks of street crimes, consequently improving crime clearance rates.
However, the findings did mention that the effects of street crimes did fade after the installation of cameras except those of minor thefts. Further, it also depended on how far the suspect is standing from the CCTV and in what direction to make it a more cost-effective solution for crime reduction in public areas.
What about the Cork stabbing CCTV footage then?
One of the news sources from the day the Cork stabbing incident took place said the misfortune was recorded on a CCTV installed at a local business premise. Here also, the location and proximity of the installed CCTV matter the most for clarifying the proceedings of that day.
It is expected that if Cork City Council and Garda are successful in getting permission for the installation of CCTV in several public areas in the vicinity, then the rate of street crimes might be lowered effectively in the coming days.
