A DISPUTE between parents and authorities at Glasnevin Cemetery over the controversial ‘Angels Plot’ has escalated with the families holding vigils to ensure their children’s graves are not disturbed.Plans by Glasnevin cemetery to renovate the plot where up to 40,000 newborn infants or premature babies are buried has sparked controversy.
The work involves the removal of personal mementoes from shared graves and the creation of a remembrance garden.
One family has in recent days camped at the plot into order to ensure no renovation work occurs at night.
Families opposed to the plans have come together to form the Angel Plot Action Group, APAG.
A member of the group, Laureen Byrne, said that in recent days the situation had deteriorated with parents now staying at the plot to ensure that the graves and the mementoes were not disturbed.
"The cemetery is still refusing to meet with us in order to establish consultation talks concerning the future of the Angel plot. There are currently JCBs on site. These will undoubtedly disturb the graves. We have called upon the cemetery’s committee to halt all work until a proper consultation process is entered into," she added.
Ms Byrne’s group claims to have the support of over 5,000 relatives of the infants buried in the Angel plot with several hundred people from abroad getting in contact with the group via the internet and social networking sites.
Glasnevin Trust, which operates the cemetery, said it had asked people to write and outline their issues with the renovation of the plot.
Cemetery spokesman Conor Dempsey said that parents were then being met individually "to ensure their wishes are taken into account."
Mr Dempsey said the Trust had received complaints from some family members feeling intimated by protestors when they had gone to collect mementoes.
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