Graveyards desecrated by unscrupulous individuals

Some unscrupulous individuals stooped to a new low when they decided to target graveyards in Cavan town as a dumping ground and for drinking parties. The dumping at Cullies and Tullacmongan has prompted the County Council to appeal for information as to the culprits so they can be prosecuted. In recent weeks both the cemeteries at Cullies and Tullacmongan have been desecrated with indiscriminate dumping of waste, drinking parties, as well as fires being lit. The incident at Cullies was highlighted to The Anglo-Celt by Maureen Crowe who was visiting her husband's grave last Saturday. She was shocked to see the rubbish that had been left there. Ms Crowe felt so strongly about it she penned a letter to the editor of The Anglo-Celt (see page 41). She pointed out that the blessing of the graves took place recently in Cullies and the graveyard was looking splendid. "A lot of money was spent by the parish on doing it up and putting in new tarmac pathways," the letter stated. What horrified and upset her was the amount of rubbish dumped, which included two sofa chairs, old furniture, wall tiles, and a duvet to name just a few of the items she observed. "Whoever did this has obviously no respect for the poor people buried there or their grieving families," she added. Mayor of Cavan town Paddy O'Reilly condemned the illegal dumping. "I'm horrified to hear that both graveyards have been targeted." It was hard to believe that people had no respect for sacred ground, he added. The people of the parish raised a lot of money to carry out major works at Cullies in recent years and it was a pity that it was now being used as a dumping ground. "I abhor this senseless illegal dumping and it is most unfortunate that it is occurring now." He hoped it was not a sign of things to come. Litter warden, Gerry O'Rourke, was aware of the dumping and had visited Cullies on Monday. "I'm disgusted in what I saw there and it is hard to comprehend that people would stoop so low." He pointed out that as the dumping took place in the graveyard technically it was a parish issue but he stated that the council would look after the matter. Mr O'Rourke pointed out that any time the council disposed of waste like this there was a cost to the taxpayer. He urged people to come forward if they know who is responsible for the illegal dumping. "Any information received in connection with the matter will be dealt with in the most strictest confidence," he stated. There was a fine of up to €3,000 plus any expenses incurred by the council if someone is convicted of the offence. Mr O'Rourke added that the rubbish would be removed this week. This illegal dumping shows a total last of respect for the families in the graveyard and there was no excuse for it, the litter warden said. "I have never seen anything this before where household furniture is being dumped on sacred ground." A van had to be used to dump some of the items like the sofa chairs, he added. Mr O'Rourke said that the Church of Ireland graveyard at Tullacmongan had also been targeted by vandals. Youths were using it for drinking parties and were also lighting fires as well, he said. "They don't have any respect for either graveyard." If people had any information regarding either graveyard they can contact the litter warden's office on 4378410 and Gerry stresses that any information received would be dealt with in the strictest confidence.