Council approval for cameras at Bohernabreena Cemetery
By Mary Dennehy
PEOPLE power has resulted in South Dublin County Council earmarking €200,000 in next year’s budget for the installation of CCTV at Bohernabreena Cemetery, The Echo has learned.
In recent years, the cemetery has been plagued by vandalism, car break-ins and thefts from graves – with many bereaved families who regularly visit the graves of loved ones feeling unsafe and vulnerable in the isolated, hillside cemetery.
Only in August, The Echo reported on a spate of robberies from cars at the local cemetery, an increase which prompted those visiting the graveyard to call once again on the council to examine the possibility of CCTV.
The Echo also spoke with a number of families who had joined forces and were starting a campaign for CCTV, with a sleepover in the cemetery planned to raise awareness.
However, this week in council chambers, it was announced that the installation of a CCTV system in Bohernabreena Cemetery has been included in the Capital Programme for next year – with money being earmarked for the works in early 2016.
One mother, who visits the cemetery daily to tend to her son’s grave, said: “Everybody is delighted with this news. We did have to fight for it, but now we have the positive outcome we were hoping for.
“The news has made people very emotional – this means a lot to families and will make them feel more secure and safer when visiting graves.
“It also makes them feel that when they are not in the graveyard, that their loved one’s grave is protected and being watched over.”
She added: “We are appreciative to the council for providing CCTV and to Cllr Cathal King. We also appreciate the continued support of The Echo, which played an important part in highlighting our campaign. This outcome is a real community effort.”
Sinn Féin councillor Cathal King told The Echo: “This is great news and CCTV will be placed in the car park and other areas.
“Personally, I think a camera should be placed at the entrance – which will keep an eye on the traffic going in and out of the graveyard.
“The details of the CCTV system have not yet been fully figured out, but it has been included in the Capital Budget for 2016.”
He added: “There is a responsibility on the council to make safe the council-run graveyards and also on the Gardaí to respond to calls quickly. A lot of vulnerable people visit our local graveyards and it’s important that they feel safe.”
The €200,000 allocated with also go towards resurfacing the carpark in Bohernabreena cemetery.
