Vandals attack cemetery once again

VANDALS damaged a number of monuments and gravestones in Goldenbridge Cemetery in the weeks leading up to the 1916 Centenary commemorations.

Among the graves that were damaged was that of the first leader of the Irish Free State, WT Cosgrave. He is also the father of the former Taoiseach, Frank Cosgrave.

The Glasnevin Trust, which owns the cemetery located in Inchicore, described the extent of the damage to the monuments in a statement.

“The destruction was systematic, with most of the monuments being destroyed beyond repair,” the trust confirmed.

“This vandalism is upsetting for all associated with the cemetery, particularly as it comes at a time when the Glasnevin Trust, trustee of the cemetery, is working in conjunction with the Inchicore Development Association and Dublin City Council to involve the cemetery and its history as part of a co-ordinated local development project. This includes the reopening of Goldenbridge as a fully operating cemetery for the community, following its premature closure in the 1900s.”

Cosgrave, who died in 1965, led the Irish Free State for 10 years from 1922 until 1932.

He fought in the 1916 Rising for independence from Britain, but later supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Free State.

The grave was one of 13 destroyed in the attack alongside pre-Victorian and Victorian headstones and monuments.

This is not the first time that graves have been significantly vandalised in the cemetery. 

In October of 2014, Cosgrave’s headstone was also damaged in an attack on four graves in the cemetery.

This escalated further in August 2015 when 27 headstones and monuments were also targeted and destroyed by vandals.

Local TD Catherine Byrne (FG) spoke out against the previous attacks on the graveyard and expressed her disgust in a statement regarding the most recent acts of vandalism.

“I am yet again disgusted and ashamed to hear that WT Cosgrave’s grave has been desecrated once more.” she said.

“The local community is outraged by this latest act of vandalism at Goldenbridge Cemetery, which has a proud heritage and holds many graves of historic importance.

“The people of Inchicore have fought to rejuvenate the area for a long time. This is set to be a really important year, with the opening up of Richmond Barracks for the 1916 commemorations, as well as the plans by Glasnevin Trust to open Goldenbridge Cemetery to public visitors.”

The graveyard is only accessible by appointment at the moment, but in recent years it has become a hotbed for antisocial behaviour.

Deputy Byrne praised local residents and urged them to contact the gardai if they spot any antisocial behaviour in their area.

“This criminal damage is really disappointing, but it will not put a stop to the plans of local groups who have worked too hard to see their projects put on hold or set back in any way,” she added.

“I extend my sympathies to the families of all the graves that have been desecrated in Goldenbridge Cemetery over the last number of years.

“As a community, we now need to step up and give the support needed to stop this senseless destruction of our local cemetery, and if anyone has any information about this latest act of vandalism, I urge them to report it to the gardaí.”

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana told Southside People that there is still an active investigation into the destruction and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Graham McGrath