Plans lodged to extend Laois graveyard and install columbarium walls

Plans have been lodged with Laois County Council to extend the graveyard at Killasmeestia to accommodate 121 new plots as well as three columbarium walls. 

The application has been submitted by the Secretary Killasmeestia  Graveyard Committee, Ellen Kilmartin for works at  Raheensheara. 

The planning documents state: "The graveyard surrounding the Catholic Church at Killasmeestia is being operated on behalf of the Parish by a Graveyard Committee. There is no longer any space for additional graves in the graveyard and thus it is necessary to extend the graveyard. 

"An adjoining farmer, William Fitzpatrick, is donating the ground for extension of the graveyard to the Parish. 

"It would appear from looking at maps that this graveyard was extended many years ago in that the townland boundary is shown as going through the graveyard. The farmer's field extended as far as the townland boundary and a portion was later transferred to the Church to accommodate a dwelling for the priest and to extend the graveyard. 

"There is a wall along the boundary to the rear of the Church. I have discussed locally regarding the possibility of burying babies against a graveyard boundary. The consensus locally appears to be that if this happened it would have occurred against the wall to the rear. 

"The proposal now is to extend the graveyard to accommodate approximately 121 double plots and it is also intended to construct three columbarium walls."

 A columbarium wall provides a  suitable resting place within a  graveyard for the placing of cremated remains.

A decision on the application is due by Council planners by December 9 with submissions being accepted on the proposal until November 8. Cllr Conor Bergin has lodged a submission expressing his strong support for the application and said he would be grateful if "every consideration could be given to granting the scheme."