Caravans return to Clonmel cemetery car park

The return of caravans to the main cemetery in Clonmel has caused great unrest among people who have loved ones buried there.

A group of up to six caravans moved into the car park last week, setting off calls on the council to act swiftly and remove the caravans.

Cllr Richie Molloy expressed his concerns about reports of several caravans entering St Patrick's Cemetery.

“St Patrick's Cemetery is a sacred space, and I am calling on council officials to act swiftly and ensure that the caravans are removed as quickly as possible.

“This is the second time such an incident has happened, and I am asking council officials to ensure a proper barrier system is erected to ensure this doesn't occur again,” said Cllr Molloy.

Last August, a caravan moved into the St Patrick’s Cemetery in Clonmel after the barrier at the new entrance to the cemetery had been interfered with and the upper bar forced upwards. That bar had not been repaired in the meantime.

At the time, Fr Michael Toomey called on public representatives to take action and said burials were disrupted by the presence of sulkies, horses, and loose dogs and such activities were causing great distress to families. That caravan quickly moved out, but now caravans have returned in greater numbers, and there is also a portaloo on site.