Intimidation: People afraid to visit graves at Kilkenny cemetery

People are in fear of visiting the graves at St Kieran’s Cemetery because of escalating anti-social behaviour according to a number of city councillors.

The matter was raised by Councillor Eugene McGuinness at this month’s meeting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District.

“It is absolutely disgraceful that people can’t visit their loved ones,” he said and referred to an organised gathering in the graveyard earlier this month where there was ‘bunting, flags and balloons’.

“It was like a circus — RIP should mean just that,” he added.

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Cllr Martin Brett said that people ‘are in fear’ and ‘should not feel intimidated’ when they are going to visit a graveyard.

“At the end of the day someone has to be in charge and we are the owners who are selling the plots and we are maintaining them. We have to put our foot down.”

Cllr Andrew McGuinness remarked that ‘what is happening up there is utterly heartbreaking for people who have loved ones up there and can’t go visit when and where they want to’ and asked that the issue be included on the agenda for the next Joint Policing Committee meeting.

Inspector Paul Donohoe of Kilkenny Garda Station told The Kilkenny People that An Garda Síochana have in recent months been proactively patrolling St Kieran’s Cemetery on a daily basis with high visibility beat and bicycle patrols.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness had a motion at the meeting asking Kilkenny County Council to send out a full planning pack to anyone who purchases a burial plot or seeks permission to use an existing plot in St. Kieran Cemetery or any other cemetery which is in Kilkenny County Councils control.

This pack should include information regarding permissions and requirements when erecting a headstone and the possible penalties imposed on those who don’t abide by these regulations.

“There is a monument in the graveyard that flies in the face of planning laws and I am asking what steps are being taken to remove it. Three days were spent installing this monument and Kilkenny County Council did not try and stop it,” he said.

“Last year we stayed quiet and we have rewarded bad behaviour. People feel intimidated and access to the graveyard is restricted for some people. Graves are being stood on. As far as I am concerned I am not backing down and neither should Kilkenny County Council — they should double down,” he said.

Cllr John Coonan said that the anti social behaviour was ‘most unfair and disgusting’ and included parties, singing, flowers being thrown around, sing songs and things going missing from graves.

“This behaviour is just totally unacceptable and it is utterly wrong. For once and for all this has to be remedied for good,” he added.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness described the ongoing situation as ‘heartbreaking’

“My family are there, I will end up there. I don’t want anyone to go through that heartbreak. It is disgusting. he added.

Cllr Joe Malone said that there were people holding ‘a 24 hour vigil’ at the graveyard.

“They are eating, drinking, going to the toilets and lighting fires. I wouldn’t go over there under armed guard’.
Inspector Paul Donohoe said that gardaí have recently liaised with Kilkenny County Council on issues relating to the cemetery.

“I would encourage any person who is apprehensive about visiting the cemetery for whatever reason to contact the Garda Station and we will ensure a Garda presence during their visit.” the inspector said.

Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr David Fitzgerald has urged council officials to enforce bylaws in public cemetery and for a full report on the enforcement of the bylaws, including a full review of the bylaws in St Kieran’s Cemetery. He also asked for a full review of the current bylaws in St Kieran’s Cemetery if necessary.

"I have significant concerns about anti-social behaviour, and social gatherings within the grounds of the grave yard which is above and beyond the normal actions of the bereaved.

“I’ve heard of examples of gatherings in the grave yard with music playing and socialising late into the night. This rise of behaviour has caused stress for other families who have loved ones interred in the cemetery,” he said.

“Locals have also raised concerns about the significant monuments in the graveyard. I’ve asked the council to bring forward a full report on the issues occurring at the graveyard and show what steps are being taken to implement current bylaws to discourage such behaviour.

“I would also ask council officials to consider if bylaws need to be updated and reviewed in light of recent developments.’’