Leitrim graveyards deteriorating state prompts safety and maintenance review
Cllr Mary Bohan asked that Leitrim County Council and the Office of Public Works discuss the matter of Killargue graveyard.
Manorhamilton municipal district has heard that loose stones in Killargue graveyard pose a safety hazard to those visiting.
At the September municipal district meeting, Cllr Mary Bohan asked that Leitrim County Council and the Office of Public Works discuss the matter of the graveyard and in particular the old church building and ensuring its stability.
“I think it’s quite dangerous, lots of the stones have fallen down, and it’s very sensitive as there’s graves inside the walls,” Cllr Bohan said.
A reply from the Planning department explained that the graveyard and the church are recorded monuments under the National Monuments Act.
The National Monuments service will have to be contacted in the first instance for their advice.
The Heritage Officer will then seek to determine the ownership of the graveyard, which is not registered on Land Direct, to identify who is responsible for its maintenance.
The reply also stated that should the former church be considered in a dangerous condition, the Local Authority have options available to address the issue.
“I hope the Council could liaise with the National Monument to see could we progress to do something urgently.
“It would be nice to see it maintained and bestowed to some extent,” Cllr Bohan added.