Village cemetery in Laois needs 'no-brainer' upgrade

LONG-AWAITED improvements could be on the way for a village cemetery, with an assessment being carried out by Laois County Council.

The works at St Fergal’s Cemetery in Camross would include widening of the existing entrance, which is notoriously narrow for hearses and other vehicles.

Cllr Conor Bergin said the project was “a no-brainer”, as he called for works to be carried out as soon as possible.

At the February meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, he proposed that the council carry out works in Camross cemetery to widen the existing entrance, to allow hearses and cars to access the graveyard. He also asked for new entrance gates to be erected.

Cllr Bergin said the problem was ongoing for a long time and he had lodged a similar proposal in the past.

The Fine Gael councillor said the existing road into Camross cemetery is too narrow and land has been offered to accommodate the works.

He said: “It would suit everyone. It would suit the land owners who are offering land for this. It would suit the priest, it would suit the parish and even the undertakers.” 

Cllr Bergin said he understood that a proposal had been put together already by council staff, so all that was needed was for the budget to be signed off by the council.

He said: “It’s a no-brainer. Everybody wants it and it just makes sense. At the end of the day, this is a Laois County Council cemetery and we have responsibility for it.

“People want to see this happen now, so the pressure is on the council to sign off on this now, so that the project can go ahead.” 

He was supported by Independent councillor James Kelly, who described the existing cemetery entrance as “too tight”.

Cllr Kelly commented: “People in Camross look after the village very well and it’s time this was done.” 

In a written response to the proposal, senior executive officer Georgina Ireland from the council’s community section said: ‘Laois County Council is currently assessing the existing entrance at Camross cemetery, with a view to determining a scope of works which may be required to improve vehicular access, together with the associated costs of any such work.

‘The extent of any works which might be undertaken will be considered as part of the normal budgetary process.’