A 'grave' fear over use of embalming chemical in proposed Limerick memorial park
More than 3,330 plots in plan for former pitch and putt site
CONCERNS have been raised by residents close to a proposed graveyard that cancer-causing fluids used to preserve dead bodies may impact on their food supply.
Developers are seeking permission from council to build a new 3,335-plot private cemetery at a three-acre site in Monaleen, formerly home to a pitch and putt course.
But eight local residents have written to council which will make a decision on the plans next month.
Two residents living in the vicinity of the land said they felt they could no longer grow vegetables and fruit at home if the development went ahead.
In their submission, they wrote that formaldehyde, which is a key component of embalming fluid, “is a highly toxic and carcinogenic agent”.
“The risks of this entering the water table are far too high for surrounding residents. We ourselves have a polytunnel where we grow food for our family bordering the proposed development. We do not feel we could continue to use it if the proposed development goes ahead,” they stated.
The two residents also graze cattle, and added: “Formaldehyde also has the potential to enter the food chain via the cattle that feed off this grass.”
Deirdre Kelly, the architect for developer Eugene Harrington said there has been an extensive amount of site investigation to ensure the ground conditions are suitable for cemetery use.
Other submissions by residents in relation to the proposed facility focused on traffic congestion, depreciation in property values, and noise levels emanating from building works - and subsequently funerals.
“Superstitious homeowners won’t buy a home near a gravestone,” one person wrote, a view the architect described as being "subjective".
Another person who wrote to council added: “Anti-social behaviour goes hand-in-hand with cemeteries".
They mentioned drugs, bare-knuckle boxing, sex in public view, knife-stabbing and partying.
However, Ms Kelly says, as it stands, the land is open to the public, and she is not aware of any issues of anti-social behaviour at the moment.
"Equally, there is no evidence of issues in relation to anti-social behaviour at Kilmurray cemetery. There will be staff on site during the park's opening hours which will be as per public parks in Limerick.
“There will also be CCTV cameras in strategic locations on site as well as a call point in the central plaza if assistance is required out of hours," she added.