Call for graveyard car parking charges to be withdrawn

A LOCAL election candidate on the Southside is asking the owners of Palmerstown Cemetery to withdraw car parking charges at their car park.

An Independent candidate for Palmerstown and Lucan, Tony Stafford, said the Glasnevin Trust, which owns the graveyard, recently imposed a

?¬2 car parking charge in Palmerstown which he claims is causing traffic problems in surrounding estates.

Mr Stafford said he recently spoke out after a public meeting in Palmerstown on the issue, which had angered many local residents.

“Glasnevin Trust must reconsider these car parking charges because they are causing major traffic problems in the nearby estates,

? Mr Stafford said.

“Aside from the traffic issues that they are causing, I personally think it is wrong to charge people for parking while they are visiting their deceased loved ones.

“Glasnevin Trust should do the decent thing and stop charging people for the use of the graveyard car park.”

Mr Stafford added: “The cost of burying a loved one can run to several thousand euro, and I think that this is an extra expense that people who are grieving for loved ones can do without.”

Mr Stafford said he is planning to bring a delegation of local Palmerstown people to meet with Glasnevin Trust to discuss the issues and to put it to them that the graveyard charges need to be withdrawn.

“I intend to pursue this issue and to make sure that the voice of the people of Palmerstown is heard on this matter,

? he added.

A spokesperson for Glasnevin Trust said they could not comment at time of going to press.