Calls for increased security
THERE are calls on the council for the implementation of a waste management plan for Bohernabreena Cemetery and increased maintenance and site security to tackle illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour at night.
In recent years there has been concern from people visiting graves about crime and anti-social behaviour, prompting CCTV to be installed in 2016 to combat these issues.
In April 2021, a hole was drilled through a grave in the cemetery in an act that was described at the time as “evil, cruel and sinister” by the family of the deceased.
In their response to the recent calls for increased security in the cemetery, South Dublin County Council said that the CCTV system that is in place is monitored during the hours of darkness by a private security company, who take action to deal with any issues that may arise.
There is also a voice-over facility on the CCTV system, which enables them to speak to anyone in the graveyard who may be engaging in anti-social behaviour.
The private company report any incidents directly to the Gardai at the time and submit reports to the council regarding incidents and actions undertaken by them.
The council added that vehicular entrance gates to the graveyard have been automated but the system has not as yet been commissioned, once this has been completed and the gates are operational it will provide added security in the graveyard.
In regard to the calls to implement a waste management system on site, the council responded by saying there are currently “no plans” at the present time to change the arrangements that are in place.
“Waste bunkers are provided in Bohernabreena graveyard for the disposal of waste by gravediggers, monumental sculptors and visitors to the graveyard,” the council stated.
“The majority of waste disposed of is surplus soil and stones from grave excavations, and also dead flowers removed from graves.
The waste is removed by Public Realm staff and disposed of at a licenced waste transfer station where it is sorted and segregated by the facility operator into different waste streams, with the vast majority of it recycled.”
