SECURITY has been stepped up at one of Cork’s most historic cemeteries after headstones were damaged during late-night booze parties. City council park rangers will patrol St Finbarr’s Cemetery more regularly after a spate of so-called anti-social behaviour involving youths gathering inside the cemetery.
And the private security firm which monitors the cemetery has also been asked to increase patrols for the next few weeks.
The cemetery was first opened in the mid-19th century and among those buried there are former taoiseach Jack Lynch, sculptor Seamus Murphy and flying column leader Tom Barry.
St Finbarr’s contains one of the largest burial plots of Irish Republicans, most of whom died in the 1920s, including martyred lord mayors Terence McSwiney and Tomás Mac Curtain.
Gardaí have been called to the cemetery in recent weeks after several incidents involving gangs of youths drinking inside.
Cllr Mary Shields (FF) raised the issue during a council meeting and said the city should take action to stamp out the behaviour.
“Vandals are drinking, littering, making noise, damaging headstones, and at least one beautiful stained-glass rose window in a chapel has been damaged,” she said.
A Celtic cross headstone has been smashed, she said.
It shows total disrespect for our dead, she added.
But city manager Joe Gavin said there is no evidence of any damage being caused to headstones.
He said security and monitoring will be stepped up.
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(Source: IE)