Burial space hits dead end

SOME Kerry people are dead against the notion of being buried anywhere other than in their hometown.

However, they may not have a choice as capacity in Killarney’s three burial grounds is almost at a dead end.

Killarney town clerk Michael O’Leary has now suggested locals seek out burial plots in places such as Aglish, Kilcummin and Killaha — which are all in surrounding parishes. He said upwards of 1,200 plots are available in those cemeteries.

But Fianna Fáil councillor Brian O’Leary described the suggestion as an insult, saying many people in Killarney would have to ask: “Where are those places?”

Kerry County Council and Killarney Town Council have been trying unsuccessfully to acquire available sites for a burial ground in the tourist haven for many years.

Efforts to obtain land from Duchas and the Killarney National Park authorities, in the Muckross area, have also failed.

Independent town councillor Donal Grady has called for the compulsory purchase of three acres in the vicinity of Aghadoe Graveyard for use as a burial ground for the people of Killarney. Other councillors and officials, however, were opposed to compulsory purchase.

Killarney town manager John Breen is to have a further meeting with Killarney National Park authorities on the issue this week.