Priest issues plea to combat anti-social behaviour in Clonmel cemetery

A priest has issued a heartfelt plea for urgent steps to be taken to combat anti-social behaviour at a cemetery in Clonmel where burials have been disrupted by the presence of sulkies, horses and loose dogs.

Fr Michael Toomey has called on public representatives to take action to combat such activities that were causing distress to families.

The arrival of a caravan in the car park of St Patrick’s Cemetery happened after the car park barrier at the entrance had been interfered with and forced upwards. The caravan parked overnight, and was gone the next day.

After the incident, Cllr Richie Molloy said a review of the security measures at the cemetery and car park needed to take place.

Fr Toomey sent a letter to the Mayor, Cllr Siobhan Ambrose and all of the members of Clonmel Borough District to appeal to them to take action.

“There have been several instances in relation to antisocial behaviour taking place, particularly around the car park area but also in the cemetery itself.

He told them that he visited the car park to see the caravan parked there.

“I received a number of calls from local people who said that there was a makeshift campsit/caravan set up in the car park beside the cemetery where dogs were running around loosely, and deck chairs were set up.

“I called down to see what was going on and witnessed this myself,” he said.

He asked the public representatives how such activity was being tolerated.

“While I am no longer covering Clonmel, I have celebrated funerals recently in the cemetery at the request of family and neighbours.

"I have seen sulkies and horses on the green area beside the car park both while funerals are taking place and at other times. This is causing a lot of upset to many families who simply want to come and pay their respects and say a prayer for their loved ones.I have also at times seen people riding bicycles, and there have been several instances where memorial plaques and flowers have ‘gone missing’ from the graves of loved ones,” said Fr Toomey.

Fr Toomey told members that, according to Tipperary County Council by-laws, such activity was not allowed. He highlighted how the activities he mentioned were clearly in breach of the guidelines set out to control visitors and parking at the cemetery.

“Many of the rules are being ignored and violated, and it appears to many who have contacted me and from what I have seen, little is being done to address this,” said Fr Toomey.

Fr Toomey, who served in Clonmel for years, is now the parish priest in the St Caro Acutis Parish Pastoral Area incorporating the parishes of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon, Grange, Newcastle, Fourmilewater, Touraneena and the Nire, concluded his letter asking what public representatives intended to do about the matter.

“I conclude by thanking the remarkable efforts done by the council staff daily in maintaining the cemetery grounds, and the care and respect they show to families at times of funerals. I am also delighted to see that work has begun to restore the chapel in the cemetery, and the on-going works undertaken by the council in relation to the extension of the graveyard, the car park maintenance, and the installation of the columbarium and the new car park entrance. These have all been positive upkeeps and improvements to our local cemetery appreciated by many.

“I know that you are all personally affected by this anti-social behaviour as members of your own family and friends are buried here. Members of my own family are buried here too, so my personal connection to St Patrick’s Cemetery is of profound importance to me and to every person who has a loved one buried here.

“It is on this basis that I urge, as a matter of urgency, that the Council will mention at their next meeting what they intend to do about this on-going situation,” the letter concluded.

Cllr Richie Molloy said he received numerous complaints after a caravan entered the new car park at St Patrick’s Cemetery.

“It was reported that the occupants allowed their dogs to roam freely throughout the cemetery, causing considerable distress and upset to families and visitors paying their respects to loved ones,” he said.

Cllr Molloy said he will be calling on Tipperary County Council to urgently carry out a review of the barrier system at the cemetery entrance to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.

“Every family with loved ones buried in St Patrick’s Cemetery deserves to be able to visit in peace and with dignity,” Cllr Molloy said.

“A cemetery is a place of remembrance and respect. It is not appropriate for dogs to be allowed to roam freely, nor should it be used as a caravan park,” he said.