Permission has been awarded to a voluntary committee in Ballinrobe to carry out works at the local cemetery, but it is highly restrictive.
The decision to place huge restrictions on the work allowed to be carried out has been sharply criticised by local councillor Damien Ryan.
A meeting of the Claremorris electoral area committee was told on Wednesday that no digging will be allowed and most of what the committee wants to do was not allowed. These restrictive measures were placed on the work by the national heritage officer who was blasted by Cllr Ryan, who said it was impossible to walk through the cemetery without falling into a hole or getting caught up on long tufts of grass. Ryan said it was a disappointing day for the local community and the committee who had fundraised locally to carry out the enhancement works.
Cllr Michael Burke asked that clarification be given as to what works exactly are allowed. He said the committee and the local engineer should meet.
According to Cllr Patsy O’Brien common sense had not prevailed. He dubbed the restrictions “scandalous”.
