Investigation team appointed over Limerick cemetery dispute

AN INVESTIGATION team has been appointed to help solve a dispute over parking at a graveyard in Limerick.

The issue at Athenacey cemetery in Elton was first raised at the May meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District meeting by Cllr Mike Donegan.

He said the location where vehicles and hearses park at Athenacey cemetery in Elton has been “completely blocked off” due to the planting of hedges and trees.

The councillor told the meeting that the area is “private property” but it has been used by people visiting the cemetery going back to the time of horses and carts.

“It is completely impossible to pull in a car or hearse now. A lot of elderly people visit their loved ones in Athenacey. It is on a very busy road (R515 Kilmallock to Knocklong Road).

“People would be taking their life into their hands to walk from Elton to the cemetery with big agricultural machinery and trucks on the road. There are no footpaths.

“If somebody pulled into the graveyard without knowing they would have to reverse back out on the road,” said Cllr Donegan, who fears there could be a “bad accident”.

The Fianna Fail councillor put down a motion calling on the council to CPO land on the Elton side of the cemetery, that is near the graveyard, with a view to constructing a suitable parking area. In response, the council said they are aware of the concerns of both elected members and the public regarding parking at Athenacey cemetery.

The meeting heard that there had been antisocial behaviour at the graveyard but this wasn’t expanded upon further.

All the elected members requested additional clarification from the burial grounds section, and acknowledged that both sides of the story were important. They all supported that a diplomatic solution be reached.

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Athenacey cemetery was back on the agenda at the June Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District meeting.

The meeting heard that “unsavoury items” have had to be picked up off the ground.

The Leader subsequently learned that these “unsavoury items” were used condoms and that conjugating couples had been using the parking area of the cemetery.

Council staff from the burial grounds section gave elected members an update on the situation.

They said there was no right of way or easement registered; they met with the landowners who have no objection to a hearse parking there and nor do they intend to object.

“It was fenced off with hedges and trees to protect their legal right,” said a burial ground staff member.

The seven councillors were in agreement that a solution had to be sought that protected the rights of the land owner, as well as allowing access for people to safely visit their loved ones' graves. It was unanimously agreed that a mediator be appointed.

Brian Kennedy, director of transport and mobility, told the July municipal meeting that an investigation team has been appointed and a meeting with both parties was being arranged for the following week.

“We have made progress,” said Mr Kennedy.

A further update is expected at the September Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting.