Limerick clampdown on large headstones

NOT even one’s last resting place is sacred as council officials pursue, to the grave, people who flout planning laws.

Limerick County Council has launched a huge clampdown on large headstones erected without permission in local cemeteries.

In recent days, council workers removed a large crucifix erected on top of a headstone in Reilig Mhuire graveyard near Askeaton.

Talks are continuing between the council and a Kilmallock Traveller family over a huge marble and granite monument erected over a family grave.

A number of locals had complained to the council that the monument encroached on their family plots. The monument has been removed in recent days.

The permanent structure was found to be in breach of guidelines, as set out under the council’s burial ground policy.

Council administrative officer, Michael Griffin said: “Permission was given to a local resident to erect a headstone at the cemetery in July 2007. It subsequently came to our attention that a cross was added to the headstone, bringing the overall height of the structure above the permissible height of 4ft 6 inches. The council removed the cross after numerous meetings and written submissions to the resident asking them to remove it proved unsuccessful.”

The Council carried out an inspection of the cross prior to its removal.

Mr Griffin said: “The instability of the structure meant that it was a threat to public safety. The council is satisfied that a monumental sculptor did not erect the cross. The council does not know who erected the cross or if they had the required insurances.”

The council’s burial ground policy states that “no tomb, monument, vault, headstone, tablet or permanent structure of any description or material shall be erected or constructed on any place of burial in the cemetery, unless and until the structure has been approved of, in writing, in the form of a certificate of permission by the council’s engineer or such other officer.”

The policy also states that a descriptive statement of what is proposed, together with a dimensioned drawing must accompany all such requests for approval. The heights of any structure proposed must not exceed 1.2 metres above beam level.

Mr Griffin continued: “Limerick County Council will continue to investigate breaches of these regulations by conducting examinations of all newly-erected permanent structures in burial grounds across County Limerick.

“Such inspections will be carried out in the interests of public safety and in accordance with guidelines set out under the burial ground policy.”