AXIS Q1604 network video camera helps identify potential kidnappers

Irish CCTV specialist and Axis Gold Partner Multisys installed the solution for Mr Kelly

The AXIS Q1604 network video camera and a Mirasys system have been praised by a leading Donegal businessman for helping to foil a kidnap plot and identifying the gang of masked men involved.

A group of masked men were seen to congregate outside Mairtin Kelly's business premises in the town, and this was reported to the police by a member of the public. Mr Kelly was then informed of the incident and the potential attempt to commit a 'tiger kidnapping'.  Well known in Ireland, tiger kidnapping involves taking people hostage that have immediate access to cash or valuables.

Once he arrived at the office, Mr Kelly was able to access footage from his digital CCTV system which comprises of an Axis network camera and Mirasys system. The AXIS Q1604 camera gave clear, high quality images of the men's faces from distance, at night, as well as shots of the men putting the masks on and clear licence plate numbers of their vehicle.

Having recognised the vehicle and faces of the men in the CCTV images, police immediately made their way to Mr Kelly's home where they intercepted a group of men not far from his Home.

Speaking after the incident, Mr Kelly said: "In today's economic climate, the number of tiger kidnappings in Ireland is increasing at an alarming rate, but I never expected that I would be targeted like this. The CCTV system had only been installed by Multisys from Galway24 hours before the incident, but I'm extremely thankful it was. The footage played a pivotal role not only in identifying the gang, but preventing them from carrying out their plans. It was so easy to find the relevant bits of footage for the police using the Mirasys system, and the quality of footage was remarkable especially considering it was in the middle of the night."

''The footage played a pivotal role not only in indentifying the gang, but preventing them from carrying out their plans''

Phil Doyle, regional director, Northern Europe, at Axis Communications said: "These criminals are becoming much more sophisticated in their approach and methodology, making it increasingly difficult to identify those responsible.

"Axis has made considerable investment in its products to combat these issues and provide business owners and prominent members of the community with greater peace of mind. Cameras such as the AXIS Q1604 have fantastic clarity and range even in adverse conditions making it much harder for these gangs to perpetrate their crimes and get away with it."