This article is from page 4 of the 2014-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
VISITORS to a Kilrush graveyard have blatantly ignored no dumping signs.
The Mayor of Kilrush has appealed to people to take away their own litter and rubbish from the parish graveyard, as it is not only an eyesore but also a huge cost to the graveyard committee.
People have ironically started to dump old wreaths, flowers and candle holders inside the gate of All Saints Graveyard, directly in a front of a sign that asks people not to dump in the graveyard.
Black bags containing visitors’ rubbish are piled high in front of a sign that says, “Thank you for bringing home discarded wreaths and flowers.”
The mayor, Cllr Paul Moroney (Ind), said the sight is very disturbing to mourners who visit the graves and take such good care of their own family plot.
“Most of the things piled up there are things that can be put in a compost heap. If people brought them home hey may be able to do some good with them,” he said.
“I would appeal to people to take these things home and put them in their own bins. It is quite upsetting for other people visiting family graves,” he added.
The mayor, whose parents were laid to rest in the cemetery in the last six months, said however that the majority of people respect the grounds and do not dump their rubbish inside its gates.
Chairman of the local cemetery committee that cares for the up keep of the town’s third graveyard Tom Prendeville said clearing the rubbish puts added pressure on the committees finances. It costs € 1,500 every year to remove the waste accumulated in the graveyard. This money must come from church gate collections and other fundraisers.