Register of authorised grave diggers to be established in Limerick
Issues such as insurance and the quality of work being carried out were raised during the July meeting of Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District
A REGISTER of authorised grave diggers in Limerick could be in place within 12 months, councillors have been told.
Details of the proposed register emerged at the July meeting of Adare – Rathkeale Municipal District after concerns were expressed about the current ‘ad-hoc arrangements’ that in place in several cemeteries.
“We don’t engage grave diggers,” confirmed administrative officer Steve McNamara who added that currently it is the responsibility of undertakers or the families of the deceased to arrange for plots to be dug and prepared.
Cllr Bridie Collins commented it’s “generally a cash-in-hand situation”, adding that she believes this is causing difficulties and needs to be addressed.
Councillors said they were aware of several specific incidents that had been highlighted by constituents and it was suggested that further discussion take place with officials at a private briefing or workshop.
Cllr Collins said she was aware of one incident of “debris being thrown over a wall into private lands” while Cllr Adam Teskey said the current situation is “causing a huge amount of disruption.”
Councillors unanimously agreed that a policy is needed to address what they described as “a major problem”.
Issues such as insurance and the quality of work being carried out were raised and councillors agreed that regulation is needed.
Noting the concerns of the elected members, Mr McNamara confirmed the local authority is “in the middle” of reviewing its cemetery bye-laws and that a draft is due to come before councillors later this year.
He added there is also a “move towards” establishing a register of grave diggers in Limerick.
"We are looking at a long term solution,” he told the meeting, adding that the draft bye laws would be published before the end of September and, subject to public consultation and council approval, could be in place by the end of the year.
Separately, councillors called for action to be taken to target illegal dumping at graveyards.
“We are aware that household waste is being dumped in bins (at cemeteries),” said Mr McNamara who added that without adequate CCTV footage, it’s difficult to identify the culprits.
“It’s a problem,” he told councillors.