Graveyard parking restrictions to be temporarily lifted

FINGAL County Council will relax its controversial parking restrictions at a local cemetery for Easter Sunday.

The council has come under fire in recent weeks for its introduction of restrictions for vehicular access to Mulhuddart Cemetery.

The changes sparked a furious backlash from local parishioners and those whose loved ones are buried in the graveyard.

Last month Northside People highlighted concerns from a local priest who feared for the health and safety of his parishioners who he said were being unnecessarily inconvenienced by the change.

Fingal County Council closes the vehicular access to the cemetery every evening and due to staffing issues the vehicular access remains closed on Sundays.

However, pedestrian access to the cemetery is maintained at all times.

The council assured that the restriction was necessary

“in order to reduce the level of littering, fly-tipping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour taking place within the cemetery outside of normal working hours

?.

“Adequate parking is available in the parking bay on Church Road for persons wishing to visit the cemetery outside of peak times,

? a council spokesperson said.

The council will, however, make exceptions to facilitate Cemetery Sunday, and blessing of graves ceremonies, as well as Easter Sunday, March 31.

Fr Liam McClarey spoke out last month to express his opposition to the vehicular restrictions, which he said would

“add to the grief

? of already grieving families who cannot access the cemetery by car on Sundays, the busiest day for visiting.

“There is a feeling of great anger in the community following the council’s proposal and attempt to bring in the changes without any consultation with parishioners,

? he said.

“There’s no doubt that the plan would make visiting the graveyard much more awkward.

“Given the age profile of our parish and how there are many young babies and children in the graveyard, it will only add to the grief of parents.

“We would also have many families within our community who have family members who are disabled or wheelchair bound.

“Are older people expected to walk great distances to visit the grave of their loved one, which will undoubtedly be more difficult in the cold and wet weather?

?

Fr Liam highlighted another potential serious risk he believed could arise if the gates were closed.

“A parishioner who was visiting the graveyard suffered a heart attack and died in the cemetery two years ago,

? he said.

“God forbid if something like that happens again. How would the emergency services access the graveyard?

?

Other burial grounds in Fingal are not open to vehicular access on non-burial days (ie Sundays). Restricted opening hours similar to Mulhuddart Cemetery are already in place at St Fintan’s, Fingal and Balgriffin cemeteries.