The lack of compliance with existing Burial Ground Bye laws in Cormac’s Cemetery in Cashel is to be addressed by allocating a special area of St Cormacs for larger monuments in the future.
Cllr Liam Browne raised the ongoing problems in the cemetery at yesterday’s Municipal District meeting citing that some monuments being installed were higher than the limit set in the Council byelaws of 4 feet 6 inches and 6 feet for Celtic Crosses. In addition, the Councillor complained that non approved contractors were installing monuments in the cemetery sometimes at night and over bank holiday weekends. The meeting also heard that two former Councillors were considering taking legal action against the Council for not enforcing it’s own Byelaws.
Cllr Roger Kennedy agreed saying the problem is getting worse and unfair on those adhering to the Bye Laws. Cathaoirleach John Cross rejected the suggestion that a blind eye was being given to the situation and assured councillors that a solution was being devised. District Administrator Anselm McGowan informed the meeting that the Council executive was proposing to invite the 3 Cashel based councillors to visit Cormac’s Cemetery with Denis Holland the Director of services for Environment and Ruairi Boland the Council engineer overseeing Burial grounds.
The Council is proposing to allocate an area of the Cemetery with stronger plinths for larger monuments in the future. There is no solution for what Mr McGowan calls “the sins of the past”. Cllr John O’Heney suggested that similar concerns might apply to St Michael’s Cemetery in Tipperary town. Cllr Anne Mary Ryan asked that all Councillors be kept updated on the site visit.
