Fundraiser set up to help families after Laois cemetery damaged
Damage at the Portlaoise cemetery is expected to cost thousands to repair
A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for the repair of damaged graves at a cemetery in Portlaoise.
At least seven graves were discovered damaged at SS Peter & Paul's Cemetery on the Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on the morning of Friday, February 2. Aside from the devastation and upset for the families, the damage is expected to cost thousands of euro to repair.
In order to support the families who are affected by the vandalism, Maria McCormack set up a GoFundMe page.
“Hi please help support the families and repair the damage done to their loves ones graves in portlaoise cemetery on the 1/2/24. I feel this is such a disgusting crime and no act of vandalism will be tolerated in anybodies place of rest and no family should have to foot the cost of this,” she wrote on the page.
A link to the fundraiser can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/damage-done-to-graves-in-portlaoise-cemetery
Cemetery Committee members spent most of Friday on the scene assessing the damage. They estimate that it will cost thousands of euro worth to repair with at least seven headstones badly damaged and less extensive harm done to other memorials.
Most of the headstones affected were made of black stone.
Secretary of the Committee which has been working to upgrade facilities since it was established nearly 15 years ago, Terry Swayne was shocked at the vandalism.
"We're extremely shocked and saddened by the shocking damage that has been done. We're carrying out a full assessment of the headstones and are seeking a meeting with Laois County Council and the Gardaí," he said.
Gardai have appealed to anyone with information to contact them at Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100.