Traffic noise is 'grave problem' for Limerick burials
Irish Rail has removed vegetation along its boundary
GRAVESIDE orations in Patrickswell can no longer be heard clearly due to the roar of passing traffic brought on by hedge chopping, it’s been claimed.
In readiness for the return of freight traffic to the Limerick to Foynes rail line, Irish Rail has removed vegetation along its boundary.
That boundary goes beside St Mary’s Cemetery in the village which lies next door to the Limerick to Cork road.
As this section of the road is classed as a motorway, vehicles drive along at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour (kph).
And due to the removal of the foliage from the edge of the cemetery, solemn occasions have been changed.
“When there are funerals going ahead, you cannot hear the priest saying the prayers for the people who have been buried,” said Fianna Fail councillor Fergus Kilcoyne.
He will welcome Irish Rail bosses to Patrickswell next week and is seeking to have soundproofing installed.
The call was supported by local parish priest, Fr Mike Cussen, who said he would welcome a sound barrier.
Prior to the chopping of the hedgeline, Cllr Kilcoyne said there was “25 to 30 years” worth of growth there.
“Now it’s all gone. When we are in the graveyard, we can see the traffic on the road. Before, you wouldn’t see it, let alone hear it,” he said.
“Now with trucks and cars travelling up to 120kph, the noise from the tyres on the road is loud. When you have a big funeral up there, with 150 to 200 people in the graveyard, it can be hard to hear the priest - even when he has a microphone,” added
Cllr Kilcoyne. “The sound from the road is overpowering his speech”.
As well as having meetings with Irish Rail, he has put in a fresh motion with council asking to have a sound barrier put up.
“What the people of Patrickswell are also looking for is to get a new road surface (on the M20) which will emit a lower sound,” he added.
A spokesperson for Irish Rail said: "Removal of vegetation and site clearance is necessary for the rehabilitation of the Limerick to Foynes line.
"Dependent on location and topography replacement vegetation is to be incorporated into the project plans and will be subject to stakeholder consultation.
"Whilst the vegetation may provide some visual screening to the M20 Motorway, it is not anticipated to mitigate the audible noise from the M20 Motorway.
"The existing ambient noise levels at this location are high due to the proximity road traffic on the M20 Motorway, this is the dominant contributor to elevated ambient noise climate.
"The Patrickswell area is listed as a noise hotspot in the Limerick City & County Council Noise Action Plan 2018 – 2023 for further assessment. Iarnród Éireann is unable to implement measures to reduce or mitigate noise emanating from the M20 Motorway."