RESPECTING the dead is strictly by appointment at a cemetery in Limerick county.People wishing to visit graves of relatives or friends at Croagh old cemetery must contact the area office of Limerick County Council in Rathkeale – so that an official can accompany visitors to the cemetery.
The gates to the cemetery are locked and visitors can only gain access when accompanied by a council employee.
Restrictions were imposed due to the condition of an old stone structure in the cemetery. It is deemed to be unsafe and the council are oblige to take certain measures and precautions every time members of the public go there.
Cllr Jerome Scanlan said the matter, which had been continuing for some years, should not be happening in this day and age.
"Due to unsafe conditions, access has to be restricted and a request to the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government for funding has so far not been successful. I have been applying for the graveyard to be reopened since early 2008.
"But the grounds contain an ancient monument said to be in an unsafe condition and it is a protected structure. The department is involved which makes the process far more complicated."
Local councillors recently met the council’s heritage officer at the cemetery to discuss the situation.
Cllr Stephen Keary said he had been told a fence would be erected around the dangerous stone monument.
However, no deadline was set for the work to be completed which would enable the cemetery to be re-opened.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: IE