A matter of grave concern
People visiting the graves of loved ones in the county are being left horrified by the shocking condition of some of Cork’s cemeteries.
That’s according to West Cork Fine Gael Cllr Karen Coakley who has issued a plea to Cork County Council to increase the budget for the upkeep of graveyards.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting Cork County Council, Cllr Coakley described a recent visit to St Patrick’s Cemetery in Skibbereen.
She said: “To say it was a disgrace is an understatement. Footpaths are covered in weeds, there are crumbled walkways, there was even broken glass in the graveyard. People are very distressed that these sacred places are not being looked after.”
Cllr Coakley said she understands the cost of a grave at St Patrick’s Cemetery is €750, which she feels must include the ongoing cleaning and maintenance of the site. She added: “Surely Cork County Council has a responsibility to keep cemeteries neat and tidy.
“It’s imperative our graveyards are maintained and given the respect they deserve. Unfortunately the public now has the impression Cork County Council doesn’t seem to care about the upkeep of the cemeteries.”
She continued: “Our cemeteries are sacred spaces. It is very emotional and difficult for family members to visit and to find the resting place of their loved ones in such a disrespectful state.”
West Cork Fianna Fáil Cllr Joe Carroll said public representatives in his municipal district are “sick, tired and damned” of trying to have the issue of graveyard maintenance addressed.
He said there are a number of volunteer groups doing very good work in maintaining some graveyards but called on the council to do its part. He said: “Is this the way the council is going to go now? They want the Tidy Towns to do all the work in the towns.
“They want other groups to do work in the graveyards. We all eventually will wind up inside in one of these places, so we’d like to think that we are going to get a bit of dignity where we are lying,” said Cllr Carroll.
Cork County Council currently manages and oversees 261 graveyards with a budget of €3.26 million, it came to light during the meeting of Cork County Council on Monday.
These include 96 active burial grounds and 165 old or inactive burial grounds.
In a written response, seen by the Cork Independent, to Cllr Coakley’s motion, Director of Services, Municipal District Operations and Rural Development, Niall Healy, said Cork County Council continually strives to obtain best value for money in the use of its scarce resources.
Mr Healy said: “There are various arrangements in place for maintaining burial grounds at a local level. These arrangements tend to be quite localised and have developed over time.
“The arrangements typically have regard for the nature, location and size of the burial ground, as well as the level of activity taking place in terms of interments,” concluded Cork County Council’s NIall Healy .