Works being carried out at the historic Rockies site in Westport has caused outrage among concerned locals, who in a letter distributed to local representatives, outlined that they were “disturbed by the lack of respect shown to an ancestral resting place” as “human remains have been exposed and scattered about the site.”
Some of the 13 signatories attended the town council meeting on Thursday, where town manager Martin Keating said that work at the Rockies, which was being done to facilitate a development to mark the history of the area, used the lightest rubber track machine so that it would not break the ground. The town manager said that he visited the site on Thursday afternoon and was shown no evidence that the ground had been broken or there was a disturbance of human remains.
Cathaoirleach of the council, Councillor Ollie Gannon, said that those who signed the letter had a “justifiable concern and right to bring this matter to our attention.” Cllr Martin Keane said that it was a “complete act of desecration” and he visited the site and saw bones.
Cllr Michael McLaughlin, who also saw “a bone up there” said that the area should be left alone, as “after all it is a mountain of bodies”. Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed that the area should be left alone. Cllr Margaret Adams suggested a site visit, then to discuss the matter again at another meeting.
Cllr Myles Staunton said that it was “very, very shocking” if bones were unearthed as the intention behind the work was to mark the area in a dignified way. He proposed that no further work take place in the coming months, and the matter should be discussed again. This was seconded by Cllr Tereasa McGuire.
Cllr Gannon said that the council need to “step back” from the project and revisit it at a later date.
Mr Keating said that there was “no intention to upset or cause any hurt.” He said that he would be very disappointed if the ground had been dug up as he could not say for certain whether this happened. Mr Keating said that work would not proceed any further and the intention will be for public consultation on any work which might be carried out to commemorate those buried in the area.
