Church heritage destroyed by the actions of vandals

By Maurice Garvey

VANDALS are “rapidly destroying” the last remaining artefacts of Palmerstown’s original church and graveyard at Mill Lane.

The South Dublin County Council grounds have been subjected to vandalism for years, but residents fear the last remaining pieces of heritage could be lost unless urgent action is taken to protect the site.

Alan Hayes, Chair of Palmerstown Community Council said: “I’m angered and frustrated at the blatant vandalism taking place there in recent times. This old church and graveyard on Mill Lane is hundreds of years old. There are, and were, headstones from the 1600s.

“It’s SDCC land, with the church itself being a national monument under care of the Office of Public Works. The council and State have let the place become overgrown and neglected for decades, seemingly happy for it all to fall away.

“Vandals were accessing the site for drink and drug sessions, and it was reclaimed through the hard work of various people in the community and maintained by the Pink Ladies from the village.

“We know CCTV, gates, higher walls and controlled access would help, but we don’t have the money or rights to do it.”

Hayes encourages residents to visit the grounds to help preserve it, and believes utilising the site for school heritage tours could act as a deterrent for vandalism.

He continued: “Volunteers are doing everything they can. It’s now time for gardaí to protect the area – the OPW to take their role seriously, and SDCC, to hasten the great work they started a few months ago.

“Once this is gone, it’s gone forever. Please visit the area because the more good people spending time there, will deter the vandals and thugs from congregating.”