FINGAL County Council has successfully reinstated graves in Howth nine months after remains were exposed following heavy flooding.
John Bennett was shocked and appalled to see his parents’ coffins exposed after the collapse of an old wall at St Mary’s Abbey Cemetery in Howth last October.
Over the last nine months Mr Bennett saw their remains exhumed, cremated and interred as the council tirelessly worked to reinstate the graves.
The situation meant that his family, one of a small number affected by the collapse, had to effectively bury the remains of their loved ones twice.
In spite of the unfortunate experience, Mr Bennett said he was as pleased as he could be with the outcome and with how Fingal County Council handled the situation.
Mr Bennett described his distress after first becoming aware of the situation when graphic images of exposed coffins appeared online and in the media.
The coffins of Mr Bennett’s father, who died 13 years ago and his mother, who passed away five years ago, were the only remains that were exposed as a result of the collapse of the wall and plots.
“The first I heard of what happened was when a girl in my office showed me a picture that had been posted on the internet of my parents’ coffins exposed after the collapse of the wall,
? he told Northside People.
“It was like being hit over the head with a brick and I immediately left work and went to the cemetery.
“I was extremely annoyed and upset that those kind of pictures were not alone taken but put on the internet but it’s all over and done with now.
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It’s understood that the challenge of securing the graves and exhuming the exposed remains posed a serious difficulty.
“It was tricky to get down to the coffins in case the plots collapsed even further and again they had to be careful of getting to the remains from beneath the site of the collapse in case someone got buried alive,
? explained Mr Bennett.
Following the collapse of the wall and nearby plots, a team of archaeologists was called in to examine the remains.
The council also brought in engineers, undertakers and contractors, as well as security personnel to work on site while the plots were made safe.
“The council were very understanding, discreet and sensitive and the exhumation, cremation and internment of the remains of our loved ones was pretty much done in secret,
? Mr Bennett said.
“Because the council had to lay down drainage pipes we were given an option of the remains being relocated to a different cemetery or being cremated and buried in the same plot as they would need less space.
“None of us wanted the remains to be interred elsewhere so we agreed to the cremation.
“As a result, it will also be a case that my remains will be cremated when I pass away but it’s just another way forward.
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He added:
“It’s the best we could have hoped for from the situation and to be honest we’re happy with the outcome.
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Mr Bennett wished to personally thank Brendan Fleming from Fingal County Council who liaised so effectively with the families affected as a result of the unfortunate incident. He also thanked undertakers Staffords for all their help in the matter.